Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 (Kerala) – S.249 – Because of the provisions contained in S.249 of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, the Civil Courts do not entertain suits of any nature against the Panchayat, unless one months notice is given and the period of notice is over – Alleged actions of the respondents are ultra vires – Ultra vires actions are not protected by any exclusionary clause

1) The petitioner has approached this Court, feeling aggrieved by the steps taken by respondents 1 to 3 to encroach into his property, which is covered by Ext. P1 decree, for erecting a fish and meat stall. Because of the provisions contained in S.249 of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, the Civil Courts do not entertain suits of any nature against the Panchayat, unless one months notice is given and the period of notice is over. If the allegations of the petitioner are correct, the said bar will not affect the power of the Civil Court to entertain a suit, if any, filed by the petitioner against the encroachment by the respondents into his property. None of the provisions of the Act enables the Panchayat or its Officers to encroach into the property of third parties. So, the alleged actions of the respondents in this regard are plainly ultra vires. Ultra vires actions are not protected by any exclusionary clause. See the decision of the Apex Court in Dhulabhai v. State of Madhya Pradesh (AIR 1969 SC 78) and also the decision in Mafatlal Industries v. Union of India 1997 (5) SCC 536. In view of the above position, the petitioner is entitled to move the Civil Court for appropriate reliefs. Accordingly, the Original Petition is dismissed without prejudice to the contentions of the petitioner.