Cheque Dishonour | P&H High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Illiterate Lady, Says More Empathy Needed For Women When Question Of Liberty Arises

Observing that "unnecessary incarceration would negatively impact an individual's reputation, especially that of a woman", the Punjab & Haryana High Court has granted anticipatory bail to an "illiterate woman" who was declared as the proclaimed offender in a cheque dishonour case.Justice Harpreet Singh Brar observed that "in light of the constitutional scheme, special provisions have...

Haryana Staff Selection Commission Seeks Waiver Of 10K Cost For Not Filing Reply, High Court Makes It 20K For Causing Further Delay

The Punjab & Haryana High Court doubled the costs imposed on the Haryana Staff Selection Commission for not filing a reply despite repeated orders, thereby delaying the conclusion of pleadings in the case.Justice Sandeep Moudgil said, "the court is at pain to see such an application wherein the State is seeking waiver of costs of Rs.10,000, [the cost] was imposed on Commission, which has...

Bail Plea Cannot Be Turned Into Recovery Proceedings Against Accused: Punjab & Haryana High Makes Interim Bail Absolute In Cheating Case

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has observed that in cheating cases where bail is sought by the accused, the Court cannot impose a condition to deposit the allegedly misappropriated amount before granting bail. Acknowledging the ruling of the Supreme Court in Dilip Singh v. State of Madhya Pradesh and another (2021) Justice Suvir Sehgal granted interim bail and said, "no pre-condition...

Cancellation Report In 2013 FIR Against Yo Yo Honey Singh For Allegedly Singing Obscene Song, Is Pending Approval: Punjab Govt. To High Court

The Punjab Government has submitted before the Punjab & Haryana High Court, that a cancellation report has been prepared and is pending approval of the higher Authorities, in a plea seeking the quashing of an FIR lodged in 2013 against singer Honey Singh for allegedly singing an obscene song.Taking note of the submission, Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi said, "the present petition is...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Seeks Union's Response On Plea To Make It Mandatory For VISA Consultants To Be Licensed

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has issued notice on a plea seeking directions on the State to make it mandatory for VISA consultants to obtain a license from the concerned foreign Government before being able to ply their trade.A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Nidhi Gupta issued notice to the Union Government and states of Punjab and Haryana on a plea filed...

UAPA | Punjab & Haryana High Court Grants Bail To Man Accused Of Receiving Arms, Explosives From Across The Border

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has granted bail to a man accused of receiving arms, ammunition and explosive substances from across the border for using it to indulge in "anti-national activities." The accused was booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA Act) in 2022.A division bench of Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Kirti Singh said that,...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Seeks State's Response On PIL Challenging "Mukhya Mantri Tirth Yatra Scheme"

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has sought the Punjab Government's response on Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed challenging the recently launched "Mukhya Mantri Tirth Yatra Scheme."A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Nidhi Gupta issued notice to the state government, on the plea filed by Parvinder Singh Kittna seeking stay on the scheme.The Tirth Yatra...

Punjab & Haryana HC Registers Suo Moto Case For Early Disposal Of Cases Against MPs/MLAs On Supreme Court's Directive

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has taken suo moto cognizance on Saturday, to monitor the early disposal of pending criminal cases against Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies, following the Supreme Court directions issued in November.A division bench of Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerjee issued notice to the states of Punjab, Haryana, U.T....

P&H High Court Issues Guidelines Against Vexatious Prosecution, Says Unjust Conversion Of Civil Into Criminal Cases Is 'Rampant'

Taking note of the "rampant misuse of law by unjustly converting civil disputes into criminal cases," the Punjab & Haryana High Court has issued guidelines to the trial courts across the state to protect citizens from vexatious and unwanted criminal prosecution.Justice Harpreet Singh Brar said, "In view of the rampant misuse of the process of law by unjustly converting civil disputes...

"Wrongful Means To Extract Maximum From Poor", High Court Directs Haryana To Regularise Class-IV Employees Working For 30 Yrs

Calling it a glaring example to demonstrate "callous approach" of State, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed Haryana government to pass necessary order to regularize the services of Class-IV employees who are working under it as a daily wager since 30 years.Justice Sandeep Moudgil said, "the instant case is a glaring example to demonstrate lethargic and callous approach of State...

NI Act | Wife Not Liable For Dishonor Of Cheque Drawn By Husband On Couple's Joint Account: Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has ruled that a spouse will not be liable for dishonor of a cheque signed by the other spouse, merely because it was drawn on the couple's joint account.The observation came in response to the petitioner/wife's plea for quashing of a complaint under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act ("NI Act"), stating that she was accused of cheque dishonor...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Authorities' Failure To Address Waterlogging Near Court Premises Amid Heavy Rains

Observing that on account of waterlogging near court premises, lawyers were precluded from appearing and expeditious disposal of cases hindered, the Punjab & Haryana High Court took suo motu cognizance yesterday of the prima-facie negligence of concerned authorities.A Division Bench of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Sudeepti Sharma noted that, “no preventive steps yet became taken...