Prolonged Disciplinary Proceedings Without Just Cause Amounts To Punishment, Delay Causes Mental Agony For Employee: P&H High Court

The Punjab & Haryana High Court said that every delinquent employee has a legitimate right to have such proceedings concluded expeditiously. The Court noted that undue and unexplained delays cause mental agony, financial hardship, and social stigma, amounting to punishment even before any guilt is established.Justice Harpreet Singh Brar said, "Every delinquent employee has a legitimate...

Drug Smuggling Through India-Pak Border Impacting Youth, Punjab & Haryana High Court Refuses Pre-Arrest Bail To Accused

Observing that increasing smuggling of illicit drugs through the India-Pakistan border, particularly via drones, has become a growing concern for national security and youth, the Punjab & Haryana High Court refused to grant anticipatory bail under the NDPS Act.The FIR was lodged under Section 21 of the NDPS Act alleging that an accused disclosed to the police that the consignment of...

Forging Court Summons Undermines Public Trust In Judiciary: Punjab & Haryana High Court Denies Pre-Arrest Bail Despite Compromise

Emphasizing the seriousness of forging judicial documents, the Punjab and Haryana High Court denied pre-arrest bail to a woman accused of fabricating a court summons, stating that such acts "have serious ramifications on public confidence in judiciary and undermines public trust."The petitioner was booked on the basis of disclosure statement of a co-accused who allegedly forged judicial...

No Condonation For Bureaucratic Lapses: Punjab & Haryana High Court Rejects 992-Day Delay In Filing Appeal By State

Reaffirming that the law of limitation cannot be defeated under the guise of advancing substantial justice, the Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed the State's application seeking condonation of a 992-day delay in filing an appeal.Justice Sudeepti Sharma said, "it is by now a well-settled principle that while Courts lean in favour of advancing substantial justice, they cannot do so...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Quashes Trial Court Order To File Challan Against Cop For Bypassing Mandatory HC Rules

Reiterating the mandatory nature of procedural safeguards, the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed a trial court's order directing the filing of a challan against a police officer without following the due process laid down in the High Court Rules. The Court observed that any action or criticism against a police officer must strictly comply with Chapter 1, Part H, Rule 6 of the High...

'In An Era Of Unaffordable Housing, Accused Can't Be Denied Bail For Lacking Permanent Residence; Even Hermits Have Rights': P&H High Court

In a significant observation, the Punjab and Haryana High Court held that the absence of a permanent residence cannot be a valid ground to deny bail to an accused, especially in an era where skyrocketing property prices and rental challenges make it difficult for many to secure stable housing.The Court granted bail to a man accused in fraud case under Sections 406, 420, 468, 120-B...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Reprimands Lawyers For Using AI, Google On Phone To Answer Queries During Hearing; Seizes Device

In a stern move, the Punjab and Haryana High Court reprimanded lawyers for using artificial intelligence tools and Google on their mobile phones to respond to Court's queries during arguments. Taking serious note of the conduct, the court seized the mobile device of one of the lawyers for a certain time, underscoring that such practices is "unacceptable".Justice Sanjay Vashisth said, "Such...

Punjab Floods | High Court Asks State Govt To Decide On Compensation For Farmers Who Suffered Less Than 25% Crop Loss

In the aftermath of the Punjab floods, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the state government to decide a representation alleging policy gap regarding absence of provision for compensating farmers who have suffered less than 25% crop loss.Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry asked the State Government to decide the representation filed on the issue as expeditiously...

“Best Remarks Given By SP To Cop Who Was Caught Accepting ₹1k Bribe”: P&H High Court Asks DGP To Probe

In a case that has raised questions about internal accountability in the police force, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has pulled up senior official (SP) over a viral video showing a Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) accepting a ₹1,000 bribe. Despite the incident, the constable received "best possible remarks" in his Annual Confidential Report (ACR) and no FIR was lodged.Justice Jagmohan...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Forms Committee Including Sitting Judges, For Holistic Planning Of HC Building Expansion

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has constituted a committee comprising sitting judges to oversee the comprehensive planning and execution of its building expansion project.Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry said, "The Administrative Committee shall comprise of two sitting Judges of this High Court (Senior of whom would preside over the Administrative Committee), with two...

State As Employer Must Lead By Example, Can't Demand Undertakings To Deny Lawful Benefits To Employees Violating Constitution: P&H High Court

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that seeking undertakings from employees—wherein they are made to forgo their lawful service benefits, is not only exploitative but also unconstitutional.The plea was filed challenging the order of the State authorities denying service benefits to a municipal worker, on the ground that he signed an undertaking forfeiting any claim to back...

P&H High Court Refuses To Entertain Plea Seeking Action Against News Channels Conducting Allegedly 'Communal' Debates

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Central Government and regulatory authorities to take strict action against news channels allegedly airing debates with communal undertones.Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry asked the petitioner, "Why should we entertain this plea when the same issue is...