Punjab & Haryana High Court Monthly Digest: April 2026

Update: 2026-05-08 04:30 GMT
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Nominal Index [Citations 101 - 139]Manjit Singh v/s State of Punjab 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 101 Alam v. Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation & Anr. 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 102Parthesh Sharma v. Punjab Public Service Commission and Anr. 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 103Saral Mobile Project Services Pvt. Ltd. v. State of Haryana & Ors. 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 104Anil Sharma v. State of U.T., Chandigarh &...

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Nominal Index [Citations 101 - 139]

Manjit Singh v/s State of Punjab 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 101

 Alam v. Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation & Anr. 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 102

Parthesh Sharma v. Punjab Public Service Commission and Anr. 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 103

Saral Mobile Project Services Pvt. Ltd. v. State of Haryana & Ors. 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 104

Anil Sharma v. State of U.T., Chandigarh & Ors. 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 105

 Hemant Kumar Mittal v/s Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran and others & Batch  2026 LiveLaw (PH) 106

Krishan Bhatia & Ors. vs. Virender Singh & Ors 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 107

 Sohan vs. The State of Haryana & Ors., and connected matters  2026 LiveLaw (PH) 108

 Samarjit Singh vs. State of Punjab & Ors. and connected matters 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 109

Hardev Singh vs. State of Punjab & Ors. and connected matters 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 110

 Deepak Kumar Nishad v. Arun Kumar & Ors. 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 111

 Aayush Malhotra v/s State of Haryana 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 112

 Raka Ghirra vs. CBI Chandigarh 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 113

Satbir Singh & Anr. vs. State of Haryana & Ors. and connected cases 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 114

 Vivek Kumar vs. Union of India & Ors. 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 115

Satnam Singh vs. State of Punjab 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 116

 State of Punjab vs. Vinod Shah & Anr.  2026 LiveLaw (PH) 117

 Dharam Singh Chhoker vs. Directorate of Enforcement  2026 LiveLaw (PH) 118

 Davender Singh @ Davinder Singh vs. State of Haryana 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 119

 Vikram Singh vs. State of Haryana 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 120

 Jaswinder Singh & Ors. vs. State of Haryana & Ors. and connected matters  2026 LiveLaw (PH) 121

XXXX v. XXXX 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 122

XXXX v. XXXX  2026 LiveLaw (PH) 123

Anuj Kumar Singh vs. Union of India 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 124

Dharminder Kumar vs. State of Haryana 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 125

 Vinod alias Binnu and Ors v. State of Haryana 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 126

 XXXX v. STATE OF HARYANA 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 127

Raj Kumar Garg v. State of Haryana and another 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 128

 POONAM AND ANOTHER V/S STATE OF Haryana 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 129

M/s Singla Traders v. State of Haryana and others 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 130

 XXXX v. STATE OF HARYANA 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 131

AMARINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING V/S UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 132

Abhikshek Shah v. State of Haryana and another 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 133

 XXXX v. XXXX 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 134

 Nirmal Singh Dhanoa and others v. Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Finance, Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 135

 XXXX v. XXXX 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 136

SXXXXX v. RXXXX 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 137

 Amrit Pal Singh v. Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board and others 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 138

 STATE OF HARYANA AND ORS. v. SAVITA YADAV 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 139

Reports

Punjab & Haryana High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Former SGPC Secretary In FIR Over 'Missing' Saroops Of Guru Granth Sahib

Case title: Manjit Singh v/s State of Punjab

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 101

The Punjab and Haryana High Court granted anticipatory bail to a former Secretary of Shriomani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) booked in an FIR over 328 missing sacred saroops (holy books) of the Guru Granth Sahib, observing that the allegations did not prima facie indicate any misappropriation by him.

'Absence Of Documentary Proof No Grounds To Deny Just Compensation In Accident Cases': P&H High Court Enhances Amount From ₹95K To 7 Lakh

Case Title: Alam v. Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation & Anr.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 102

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that mere absence of documentary proof of income cannot be a ground to deny just compensation to an injured claimant in a motor accident case. The Court observed that compensation must be assessed on a reasonable basis rather than denied for want of strict proof.

Punjab & Haryana High Court Allows Sports Category Candidate To Appear In Exam During Pendency Of Dispute Over Sports Gradation Certificate

Case Title: Parthesh Sharma v. Punjab Public Service Commission and Anr.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 103

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has allowed a candidate to participate in a recruitment process during the pendency of a dispute regarding the submission of a Sports Gradation Certificate.

Justice Namit Kumar was hearing a writ petition filed by a candidate who had applied under the Sports Person category in a recruitment process conducted by the Punjab Public Service Commission. The petitioner contended that although he possessed the requisite Sports Gradation Certificate, he could not upload or submit the same within the stipulated time due to the absence of a provision on the portal, lack of individual communication, and his understanding based on the advertisement that document verification would take place after the mains examination.

'Health Concerns Cannot Differ From Locality To Locality': Punjab & Haryana High Court Sets Aside Cancellation Of Mobile Tower Permission

Title: Saral Mobile Project Services Pvt. Ltd. v. State of Haryana & Ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 104

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that the health concerns of residents of a particular locality cannot be treated differently from those of the rest of the State, and cannot justify the selective cancellation of permission for the installation of a mobile tower. The Court observed that such reasoning is manifestly baseless when similar installations exist across the State in comparable localities.

'Consensual Sex Outside Marriage By Woman Is Promiscuity, Not Misconception Of Fact': P&H High Court Quashes Rape FIR Against Man

Title: Anil Sharma v. State of U.T., Chandigarh & Ors.

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 105

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that where an adult woman voluntarily engages in sexual relations over a prolonged period, such conduct cannot be construed as arising from a misconception of fact so as to attract the offence of rape under Section 376 IPC. The Court observed that in such circumstances, the relationship reflects consensual conduct.

P&H High Court Directs HSVP To Grant Possession Of Faridabad Plots To Allottees In 4 Months, Rejects Deferment Request Over Pending Plea

title: Hemant Kumar Mittal v/s Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran and others & Batch

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 106

The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently directed the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) to handover vacant possession of various plots in Faridaad to 21 allottees within four months.

In doing so the court rejected the State's request to defer the matter over pendency of a 2009 connected petition where status quo was granted, remarking that no useful purpose would be served keeping the petitioners' petitions pending merely because there is a status quo in a 16-year-old plea plea.

Motor Accident Claim Cannot Be Dismissed Merely Because Injured Claimant Dies During Proceedings: P&H High Court

Title: Krishan Bhatia & Ors. vs. Virender Singh & Ors

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 107

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that a claim petition filed under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act cannot be dismissed solely on the ground that the claimant died during the pendency of the proceedings. The Court observed that even if the death of the claimant is not established to be on account of the injuries sustained in the accident, the claim can still be continued by the legal representatives to the extent of loss caused to the estate.

Relaxation In Selection Criteria For PwD Candidates Not Concession, But Constitutional Obligation: P&H HC Directs States To Frame Norms

Title: Sohan vs. The State of Haryana & Ors., and connected matters

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 108

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that relaxation in selection criteria for persons with disabilities is a constitutional obligation and not a mere concession. The Court observed that failure to provide such relaxation defeats the mandate of substantive equality under the Constitution and renders the statutory protections under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act ineffective. 

Punjab & Haryana High Court Strikes Down 1997 Rule Mandating Govt-Parity Retiral Benefits For Cooperative Society Employees

Title: Samarjit Singh vs. State of Punjab & Ors. and connected matters

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 109

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that the 1997 Service Rules mandating retiral benefits for employees of cooperative societies at par with government employees are ultra vires the parent statute and unenforceable. The Court observed that the State Government had no authority to further delegate its rule-making power to the Registrar, and such sub-delegation was neither expressly permitted nor implied under the governing Act.

Delimitation Is A Legislative Function: Punjab & Haryana High Court Dismisses Challenges To Municipal Ward Notifications

Title: Hardev Singh vs. State of Punjab & Ors. and connected matters

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 110

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that the process of delimitation of wards of Municipal Councils and Municipal Corporations cannot be set aside merely on the ground of alleged violation of principles of natural justice. The Court observed that delimitation is a legislative function and once the prescribed procedure under the governing rules is followed, such exercise is not open to challenge on technical grounds.

State Must Prioritise Its Own Employees For Promotion Over Deputationists: P&H High Court To Chandigarh Admin

Title: Deepak Kumar Nishad v. Arun Kumar & Ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 111

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that the State is bound to consider the interest of its own employees for promotion on a higher pedestal as compared to persons brought through deputation or transfer. The Court observed that service rules must not operate to prejudice promotional avenues of existing employees in favour of external entrants.

'Cybercrime Akin To Silent Virus': Punjab & Haryana High Court Declines Anticipatory Bail To Man Booked In ₹6 Crore Digital Arrest Case

 Title: Aayush Malhotra v/s State of Haryana

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 112

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has observed that cybercrime in the country "operates akin to a silent virus" which is insidious, disruptive and exacts a toll on society that extends far beyond mere pecuniary loss.

'Right To Travel Abroad Is Basic Human Right': P&H High Court Allows Ex-DSP Convicted In Bribery Case To Travel Abroad

Title: Raka Ghirra vs. CBI Chandigarh

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 113

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has allowed Raka Ghirra, an ex-DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police) convicted in a bribery case, to travel abroad. The Court reiterated that the right to travel abroad is an important basic human right.

Whistleblowers Have No Locus In Service Matters Unless They Are Directly Aggrieved: Punjab & Haryana High Court

Title: Satbir Singh & Anr. vs. State of Haryana & Ors. and connected cases

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 114

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that third parties, including whistleblowers or complainants, do not have locus standi in service matters unless they are directly and substantially aggrieved. The Court observed that service disputes are personal in nature and only a person who has suffered a legal injury can maintain a challenge under Article 226.

'Absence Without Leave Cannot Be Treated As Desertion Without Inquiring Into Cause': P&H High Court Grants Relief To CRPF Constable

Title: Vivek Kumar vs. Union of India & Ors.

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 115

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that absence without leave cannot be treated as desertion without examining whether such absence was wilful. The Court observed that absence by itself does not constitute misconduct unless it is proved to be wilful on the basis of material on record.

Punjab & Haryana High Court Imposes ₹10K Cost On Bail Applicant For Failure To Disclose Earlier Dismissal Of Bail Application

Title: Satnam Singh vs. State of Punjab

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 116

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that failure to disclose the history of prior bail applications in a successive bail plea is inexcusable and cannot be countenanced. The Court observed that such non-disclosure undermines the integrity of the adjudicatory process, which rests on the requirement of utmost good faith.

[S.313 CrPC] Failure To Put DNA Evidence To Accused Vitiates Trial: P&H High Court Sets Aside Death Sentence In Child Rape-Murder Case

Title: State of Punjab vs. Vinod Shah & Anr.

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 117

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that failure to put material incriminating evidence, including DNA evidence, to the accused under Section 313 CrPC vitiates the fairness of the trial and cannot be sustained. The Court observed that such an omission causes prejudice to the accused as it deprives them of an opportunity to explain crucial circumstances relied upon for conviction.

Punjab & Haryana High Court Denies Bail To Former MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker In Money Laundering Case

Title: Dharam Singh Chhoker vs. Directorate of Enforcement

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 118 

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has denied bail to former MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker in a money laundering case. The Court observed that the allegations, nature of transactions, and material collected during the investigation did not justify release at this stage.

P&H High Court Grants Bail To Man Over Alleged Involvement In Espionage Activities Linked To Pakistan During Op Sindoor

 Title: Davender Singh @ Davinder Singh vs. State of Haryana

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 119

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has granted bail to Davender Singh alias Davinder Singh in a case alleging involvement in espionage activities linked to Pakistan, noting the absence of material to substantiate the allegations beyond disclosure statements.Singh was alleged to have engaged in these espionage activities during the military exercise titled Operation Sindoor, undertaken by India against Pakistan.

Punjab & Haryana High Court Grants Bail To Accused In Digital Arrest Involving ₹3 Crore Duped From Retired Principal

Title: Vikram Singh vs. State of Haryana

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 120

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has granted bail to an accused in a case involving alleged cyber fraud, where a retired Principal was duped of over Rs. 3 crore through a “digital arrest” modus. The Court observed that, considering the role attributed to the petitioner, the period of custody and the fact that the trial would take time, the petitioner was entitled to bail.

'Denying Inter-Utility Transfers To Lower-Ranking Officials Without Nexus To Relevant Policy Violates Article 14': P&H High Court

Title: Jaswinder Singh & Ors. vs. State of Haryana & Ors. and connected matters

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 121

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that denial of inter-utility transfers only to lower-ranking officials without any rational nexus to the object of the policy is violative of Article 14. The Court observed that such classification between employees is arbitrary where it does not serve the stated objective of the policy.

Wife's Compromise Waiving Future Maintenance Is Against Public Policy; Doesn't Bar Her Claims U/S 125 CrPC: P&H High Court

Title: XXXX v. XXXX

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 122

The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently observed that an agreement in which the wife waives her right to claim maintenance from the husband in the future, in exchange for a sum, is opposed to public policy and the same does not estop her from claiming maintenance under Section 125 CrPC, a statutory right.

Being A Student Doesn't Absolve Husband From Maintaining Wife: P&H High Court Denies Relief To 22 Y/O Engineering Student

Title: XXXX v. XXXX

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 123

The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently observed that a husband has a legal duty to maintain his wife and he can't be absolved of this responsibility merely on the ground that he is a student.

"(husband) cannot be permitted to plead that he is unable to maintain his wife due to financial constraints as long as he is capable of earning. Nor can he be absolved on the ground that he is a student. Pursuit of education notwithstanding, the legal obligation to maintain the wife is absolute arising from the existence of the relationship", a bench of Justice Shalini Singh Nagpal observed.

Arrest Begins When Liberty Is Restrained, Not When Police Record It: Punjab & Haryana High Court Orders Release In NDPS Case

Title: Anuj Kumar Singh vs. Union of India

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 124

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that arrest commences the moment a person's liberty is restrained and not from the time recorded in police documents. The Court observed that an entry in police records regarding the time of arrest is not conclusive, and the actual test is the factual restraint on the movement of the individual.

Punjab & Haryana High Court Reduces Rape Convict's Sentence To Period Already Undergone Citing His Paralysis, 23-Year Delay

Title: Dharminder Kumar vs. State of Haryana

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 125

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has reduced the sentence of a rape convict to the period already served based on the medical condition of the convict and subsequent developments. The Court observed that such circumstances constitute “adequate and special reasons” for awarding a lesser sentence.

Police Need Not Re-Supply Grounds Of Arrest Upon Second Arrest In Same FIR: Punjab & Haryana High Court

Title: Vinod alias Binnu and Ors v. State of Haryana

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 126

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that re-supplying of grounds of arrest is not mandatory upon a second arrest in the same FIR where such grounds have already been furnished earlier.

23 Years On, P&H High Court Upholds Conviction For Rape Of Minor, Reduces Sentence As Convict Suffered Paralysis

Title: XXXX v. STATE OF HARYANA

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 127

The Punjab & Haryana High Court while upholding the conviction of an appellant in a rape case, taking note of mitigating circumstances including paralysis attack and compromise entered between the parties, modified the sentence and reduced it to the period already undergone.

Drastic Measure Of Property Attachment, Appointment Of Receiver Can't Be Resorted To Routinely: P&H High Court In Tenancy Dispute

Title: Raj Kumar Garg v. State of Haryana and another

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 128

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the setting aside of an order appointing a receiver over a disputed shop, while strongly cautioning the routine use of "drastic measure of attachment of property and appointment of a receiver".

Punjab & Haryana High Court Orders Soundproof VC Facilities In All Prisons To Protect Lawyer-Client Confidentiality

Title: POONAM AND ANOTHER V/S STATE OF Haryana

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 129

Observing that "every prison must have soundproof facilities where convicts are able to interact with their counsel via video conference and have in-person meetings with their counsel," the Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that the right of an accused/convict to communicate with their counsel in full confidentiality is a fundamental component of a fair trial, and this protection extends equally to digital interactions through video conferencing.

Food Safety Officer Can't Seize Plant & Machinery Under FSS Act; Such Power Vests With Court: Punjab & Haryana High Court

M/s Singla Traders v. State of Haryana and others

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 130

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that a Food Safety Officer has no authority under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to seize plant and machinery, and such action can only be taken by a competent court or in accordance with statutory procedure.

Punjab & Haryana High Court Acquits Rape Convict After 21 Years, Cites Material Contradictions In Prosecutrix's Testimony

Title: XXXX v. STATE OF HARYANA

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 131

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has acquitted a man convicted for rape in 2005, holding that material contradictions in the prosecutrix's testimony, lack of corroborative evidence, and inconsistencies in forensic findings rendered the conviction unsafe. During the pendency of appeal the convict passed away.

Punjab & Haryana High Court Closes Plea Against 'Lawrence Of Punjab' Web Series After Centre Advises Zee5 Against Its Release

AMARINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING V/S UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS

 Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 132

The Punjab & Haryana High Court today disposed of a plea seeking urgent stay on streaming of web series “Lawrence of Punjab”, after the Central government advised the OTT platform ZEE5 against its release.

The division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Pramod Goyal noted that the Punjab government had written to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on April 22, urging to refrain its release and to block access to its trailer.

Telling Employee to 'F*** Off' During Workplace Spat Without Sexual Intent Not Sexual Harassment: Punjab & Haryana High Court

Title: Abhikshek Shah v. State of Haryana and another

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 133

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that use of the expression “f*** off” during a workplace dispute, though inappropriate, does not amount to sexual harassment in the absence of sexual intent or overtone.

Married Woman Mature Enough To Understand Consequences: P&H High Court Quashes Rape On Pretext Of Marriage Case

Title: XXXX v. XXXX

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 134

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has quashed a criminal complaint and summoning order against a man accused of rape on the pretext of marriage, holding that a married woman, who had not obtained divorce from her estranged husband, could not be said to have acted under a “misconception of fact” while consenting to a sexual relationship.

Punjab & Haryana High Court Directs Punjab To Release Pending DA/DR, Quashes Staggered Pension Arrears Plan

Title: Nirmal Singh Dhanoa and others v. Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Finance, Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 135

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the State of Punjab to release all pending installments of Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) to its employees and pensioners in line with the Central Government pattern, holding that financial constraints cannot be a ground to deny accrued service benefits.

Highly Educated Lady Working In MNC Didn't Lodge FIR For Months: P&H High Court Quashes Rape Case, Says Relationship Was 'Consensual'

Title: XXXX v. XXXX

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 136

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has quashed a rape case registered against a man, holding that a prolonged consensual relationship between two mature individuals cannot be criminalised as rape on the basis of a failed promise to marry.

'No Time With Mother': Punjab & Haryana High Court Declines Custody To Working Mother Living In PG

Title: SXXXXX v. RXXXX

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 137

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has declined custody of a minor child to a working mother residing as a paying guest, holding that she had no sufficient time or support system to care for the child, while reiterating that shared parenting best serves the child's welfare.

Agricultural Procurement Takes Priority Over Personal Hardship: Punjab & Haryana High Court Upholds Temporary Transfer During Harvest Season

Title: Amrit Pal Singh v. Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board and others

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 138

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has reiterated the primacy of agricultural operations and farmers' interests while upholding a temporary deployment ordered during the procurement season, observing that individual inconvenience must yield to the larger public good.

Medical Reimbursement Not 'Alms': Punjab & Haryana High Court Fixes 2-Month Deadline For Authorities, Orders Payment Of Interest For Delay

Title: STATE OF HARYANA AND ORS. v. SAVITA YADAV

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (PH) 139

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that medical reimbursement is a legitimate right of government employees and not a matter of charity, directing States and public authorities to process such claims within a two months or face interest liability.

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