Gagandeep Singh vs State Of Punjab And Others

117
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT
CHANDIGARH
LPA-2386-2026 (O&M)
Reserved on : 24.08.2026
Pronounced on : 02.09.26
Uploaded on : 03.09.2026

GAGANDEEP SINGH
...Appellant

Versus

STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS
…Respondents

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUVIR SEHGAL
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH GAUR

Present : Mr. Vinay Kumar Begra, Advocate
for the appellant.

RAJESH GAUR, J.
1. The present appeal has been filed by the appellant against the
judgment dated 22.12.2023 passed by the learned Single Judge whereby the
writ petition filed by the appellant was dismissed and the orders passed by
the revenue authorities appointing respondent No.4-Arvel Singh as
Lambardar were upheld.
2. The brief facts leading to the filing of the present appeal are that
a post of Lambardar (SC) was created in village Mehna, Tehsil Malout,
District Sri Muktsar Sahib, vide order dated 25.11.2016 (Annexure P-1). The
District Collector, Sri Muktsar Sahib appointed respondent No.4 to the post
of Lambardar. The appeal and revision filed by the appellant were dismissed
GURPREET KAUR
2026.09.03 14:37
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integrity of this document

LPA-2386-2026 (O&M) -2-

by the Commissioner and the Financial Commissioner, vide orders dated
27.07.2022 and 09.11.2023 (Annexures P-2 and P-3, respectively). The
appellant thereafter filed a writ petition, which has been dismissed by the
learned Single Judge vide order dated 22.12.2023 thereby upholding the
orders passed by the revenue authorities with a direction to appoint
respondent No.4-Arvel Singh as Lambardar.
3. Mr. Begra, learned counsel for the appellant submits that the
appellant is younger in age and is B.A./ITI Diploma holder as compared to
respondent No.4. He further submits that the name of the appellant was
recommended by the Gram Panchayat and there are no criminal antecedents
against him.
4. We have heard learned counsel for the appellant with his able
assistance and have examined the record as well as the relevant provisions of
the Punjab Land Revenue Rules, 1909 governing the appointment of a
village headman (Lambardar). Rule 15 thereof reads as under :-
“15. Matters to be considered in first appointments.—In all first
appointments of headman, regard shall be had among other
matters to—

(a) his hereditary claims;

(b) the property in the estate possessed by the candidate to
secure the recovery of land revenue;

(c) services rendered to the State by himself or by his family;

(d) his personal influence, character, ability and freedom from
indebtedness;

(e) the strength and importance of the community from which
selection of a headman is to be made; and

(f) services rendered by himself or by his family in the national
movements to secure freedom of India.”

GURPREET KAUR
2026.09.03 14:37
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LPA-2386-2026 (O&M) -3-

4.1 Upon a perusal of Rule 15 of the aforesaid Rules, it is evident
that various relevant factors and circumstances are required to be duly
considered and weighed in a balanced manner before a person is appointed
as Lambardar.
5. In Mahavir Singh vs Khiali Ram and others, 2009(3) SCC
439 , the Hon’ble Supreme Court held that the writ court exercises limited
jurisdiction and cannot assume the role of an appellate authority to re-assess
or compare the relative merits of candidates for appointment to the post of
Lambardar. However, the Apex Court has simultaneously carved out an
exception to the effect that judicial review is warranted where the decision
making process is vitiated by patent perversity, illegality and arbitrariness or

non-consideration of relevant statutory criteria.
5.1 In Ishwar Singh vs Satbir Singh and others, 2009(9) SCC 392 ,
the Hon’ble Apex Court observed that a Lambardar is a village headman,
whose principal duty is to collect land revenue. To discharge such duties, a
Lambardar is entitled to fix remuneration as well as a commission. The
criteria for appointment to the post of Lambardar, inter alia , include
education, age and experience in the Lambardari system, land and property
holding, character, ability and freedom from indebtedness. These factors are
required to be duly considered and weighed while determining the suitability
and comparative merit of a candidate for appointment to the said post.
6. It is a settled proposition of law that the choice of the District
Collector, who is entrusted with overall administration of the district, ought
not to be interfered with unless the order is shown to suffer from illegality,


perversity and any other material infirmity.
GURPREET KAUR
2026.09.03 14:37
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LPA-2386-2026 (O&M) -4-

7. The facts of the present petition have to be examined in the
light of aforesaid settled legal position. The learned Single Judge has rightly
upheld the orders passed by all three revenue courts, which have recorded
concurrent finding of facts, duly supported by cogent and sound reasons.
8. It is also relevant to note that respondent No.4-Arvel Singh has
served in the Army and has rendered his services to the nation for about
30/31 years. These circumstances also deserve due consideration while
examining the correctness of the impugned orders.
9. In view of the aforesaid settled proposition of law and the facts
and circumstances of the present case, we do not find any infirmity,
illegality or perversity in the order passed by the learned Single Judge. The

appeal is, accordingly, dismissed.
10. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also stands
disposed of.



[SUVIR SEHGAL] [RAJESH GAUR]
JUDGE JUDGE

September 02, 2026

gurpreet

Whether Speaking/Reasoned Yes/No

Whether Reportable Yes/No

GURPREET KAUR
2026.09.03 14:37
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integrity of this document