Justice Ritu Bahri To Serve As Acting Chief Justice Of Punjab & Haryana High Court From October 14

The Central government has notified the appointment of Justice Ritu Bahri as the Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court with effect from October 14, after retirement of Chief Justice R.S. Jha tomorrow.CJ Ravi Shankar Jha was appointed as Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court in 2019. He is a senior puisne Judge from Madhya Pradesh High Court. Before his...

'Respect Legal Rights, Consider Potential Humanitarian Consequences': Punjab & Haryana HC Issues Guidelines To Mining Officers Seizing Vehicles

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has issued nine set of guidelines for mining officers to ensure transparency and adherence to legal procedure while seizing vehicles.Justice Arun Monga said, "These guidelines are aimed to ensure transparency, fairness and adherence to legal procedures in mining-related penalty imposition and vehicle seizures, while also taking into consideration...

High Court Summons Punjab Home Affairs Secretary, DGP Over Regular Non-Appearance Of Official Witness In NDPS Cases

Observing that non-appearance of official witness in NDPS Act have become a "regular feature" in Punjab, the High Court today directed the State's Home Affairs Secretary, DGP and SSP, Sri Muktsar Sahib to remain present before it tomorrow.Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul observed, "This has more or less become a regular feature in the State of Punjab that prosecution witnesses, who are mostly...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Impleads Centre To Obtain Inputs On Clearing Road Occupied By Protestors Seeking Release Of Sikh Prisoners

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday ordered impleadment of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in a plea against blockade of road by protestors seeking release of Sikh prisoners in Mohali, after Advocate General for Punjab suggested conducting a "joint operation" with the assistance of central agencies, to clear the site.Quami Insaaf Morcha has been sitting on dharna on the road...

'No Illegality' In Consulting Union Law Ministry Before Rejecting HC's Recommendation For Judicial Officers Promotion: Haryana Govt To High Court

The Haryana government has defended its action of consulting with the Union Law Ministry in matter of appointment of Additional and District Sessions judges in the State.Joint Secretary Rashmi Grover was responding to the petition filed against State's decision to reject High Court's recommendations for promotion of 13 judicial officers.The officers affected by the decision had moved the...

Failure Of Punjab Police Witnesses To Appear In NDPS Case On 11 Dates Leads High Court To Suspects Their "Unholy Nexus" With Accused

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has strongly criticized the Punjab Government for its inaction and lackadaisical approach in curbing the drug menace in the State. The Court pointed out that accused persons under the NDPS Act have been repeatedly seeking bail, citing the non-appearance of prosecution witnesses who are police officials.Justice Manjri Nehru Kaul said, "Despite...

Public Using Private Property As Dump Doesn't Divest Owner's Possession: Punjab & Haryana HC Restrains Municipality From Changing Nature Of Land

Observing that the use of property by Municipal Corporation as a dump site "has no right to change the nature of the property", the Punjab & Haryana High Court has made it clear that a true owner is not divested from possession of the property even if the garbage is thrown on it by the pubic.The land in question was used by the Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana for dumping site since 15...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Pulls Up 'Pandit' For Allegedly Performing Child Marriage

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has come down heavily on a Pandit who allegedly performed a child marriage without verifying the age and without following the directions of the High Court.According to High Court's direction in Sukhwinder Sigh and another v. State of Punjab and others, all the Pandit of Mandir, Molwi of Masjid, Granthi of Gurudwara and Paadari of Girjaghar in Punjab,...

'Sacrilege A Heinous Offence': Punjab & Haryana High Court Refuses To Quash FIR Against Man Claiming He's Incarnation Of Guru Nanak Dev

Observing an act of sacrilege is a heinous offence "irrespective of any religion", the Punjab & Haryana High Court has refused to quash FIR lodged under Section 295-A IPC against a man, claiming himself as incarnation of Guru Nanak Dev. Sanjay Rai claimed that he is the incarnation of Guru Nanak Dev and he can prove it by his spiritual knowledge.Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri observed,"It...

High Court Seeks Punjab Govt's Response On Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira's Plea To Quash Arrest In 2015 Drugs Case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday sought response of the State government on a quashing plea moved by Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Congress MLA from Punjab arrested in connection with a 2015 drugs case.Khaira was arrested on September 28, in a case related to heroin trade. Eight accused were arrested in the FIR earlier and later Khaira was added in additional prosecution proceeding for...

Haryana Civil Judge 2021: High Court Rejects Plea Challenging Allegedly "Disproportionate Marks" Given In Interview

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has rejected a batch of petitions challenging alleged "disproportionate" marks awarded in the viva voce in Haryana Civil Judge 2021 examination.The candidates contended that there was an unreasonable, arbitrary and "capricious assessment of their respective personalities." They also submitted that even though they secured high marks in mains exam, they...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Allows Its Former Judge's Plea, Says Amendment Extending Tenure Applies To Incumbent Members Of Consumer Fora

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has made it clear that the 2022 Amendment to the Consumer Protection Rules, which ameliorated the anomaly with respect to tenure of the Consumer Commissions' President and Members, is applicable to those holding the post as of date, even though their appointment was made prior to the amendment.Rule 10 of the Consumer Protection Rules stipulated...