In Brief
Janabai challenged her disqualification as a gram panchayat member on grounds that she had encroached upon government land. Although her father-in-law and husband made the initial encroachment and continued to occupy it, Janabai also resided on the property. The Supreme Court dismissed her appeal, holding that 'person' under Section 14(1)(j-3) of the Maharashtra Village Panchayat Act, 1958 extends beyond the original encroacher to include those who continue occupying encroached government property. The Court applied purposive interpretation, recognizing that members are public servants bound to protect government land, and allowing such technicalities would create absurdity. The earlier judgment in Sagar Pandurang Dhundare was overruled to align interpretation with legislative intent.
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