'Neither Judicial Officer Nor His Family Were Treated With Dignity After Death: P&H HC Imposes Costs On Its Admin For Delay In Issuing Pension

Observing that "neither the judicial officer nor his family after his death were treated with dignity and grace," the Punjab & Haryana High Court imposed a cost of Rs.25,000 on its administrative side and the State for the delay in releasing the pension and other retiral dues to the widow of a former civil judge.Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sudhir Singh said, "it is settled law...

Suicide Note Doesn't Show Serious Fight Between Couple: Punjab & Haryana HC Grants Pre-Arrest Bail To Wife Accused Of Abetting Husband's Suicide

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has granted anticipatory bail to a wife accused of abetting the suicide of her husband, observing that no serious fight in the recent past has been shown in the alleged suicide note.The Court noted that prima facie, as per the alleged suicide note, the husband was perturbed with the unwarranted desire of the wife, whereby, she had been insisting to...

Women's Day Special | Punjab & Haryana High Court's Landmark Rulings On Women Empowerment

Despite 77 years of independence, the harsh reality remains: women are still in need of transformative justice and societal upliftment. The progress we celebrate has yet to bridge the gap between equality and empowerment. The debate over whether women need positive discrimination to ensure equal rights as men cannot be deemed redundant, especially when considering that, the majority (67%) still reside in rural regions, where women continue to face discrimination and gender-based violence. Even...

Advocates Act | BCI Cannot Entertain Appeal Against Order Of State Bar Council's Disciplinary Committee When Probe Is Pending: Punjab & Haryana HC

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has made it clear that Bar Council Of India (BCI) cannot entertain appeal from interim order of the State Bar Council's disciplinary committee when the probe is pending and no punishment is imposed. Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Vikas Suri said, "when the Special Committee concerned, has not yet completed its probe, nor has made any final...

Man Spends 4+ Yrs In Jail Without Trial For Offence With Max 5 Yrs Sentence, P&H High Court Laments ₹1 Crore Bond Condition For Default Bail

Observing that the case shows "distressing picture of the criminal justice system's failure", the Punjab & Haryana High Court has set aside condition to pay Rs.1.10 crore in bail bond for granting default bail to an accused in Tax Fraud case.The Court noted that the accused has been in custody for the past 4 years, 01 month and 20 days, while the maximum sentence for the alleged offences is...

Procrastination Greatest Thief Of Time, High Court Rejects Plea Of Punjab Judiciary Aspirants Whose Selections Were Cancelled Back In 2002

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed the plea of two judiciary candidates, whose selection was cancelled in 2002 for alleged involvement in recruitment scam, seeking appointment.Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel cited delay on part of the candidate in approaching the Court, after they were acquitted in the corruption case in 2016.The division bench said, "This...

Objections Raised By Neighbours, Relatives Cannot Be Sole Ground For Refusing Convict's Parole: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has recently said that any objection raised by local inhabitants or relatives cannot be the sole determinative basis for refusing parole.Justice Ranjan Sharma said, "Any objection raised by local inhabitants / relative cannot be the sole determinative basis for refusing parole and such an objection raised by local inhabitants/relative cannot be given...

Can't Sit Over Expert Panel Report Unless Malice Is Alleged: High Court Rejects Plea Challenging Haryana PGT Teacher Exam Answer Key

The Punjab & Haryana High Court dismissed the plea challenging the screening test question paper for the post of Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) (Chemistry) and its final answer key published in October 2024 noting that the expert committee has already been formed and Court cannot sit over it, unless there is an allegation of malice. Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Meenakshi I....

Qualifying NET Is Minimum Criteria For Asst Professor Extension Lecturer Holding M.Phil Has No Right To Continue: Punjab & Haryana HC

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has made it clear that extension lecturer holding M.Phil degree who have not qualified UGC NET has no right to continue in service and is required to be relieved from service.The Court noted that Service Rules, 1986, amended in terms of the UGC Regulations, 2010, do not provide for any exemption from NET to the M.Phil. degree holders for the post of...

Girls From Punjab Villages Dropping Out Due To Far-Away Schools: High Court Seeks Fresh Affidavit From State Govt On Girls Schools

The Punjab & Haryana High Court sought fresh Affidavit from the Punjab Government on suo moto cognizance of village girl students dropping out of schools due to non-availability of schools and infrastructure along Punjab's Patiala-Rajpura Highway.Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel said, "Reply filed by the State of Punjab essentially pertains to co-ed schools, but this...

[SC/ST Act] Victim Belonging SC/ST Community Not Sufficient To Attract Offence Without Intention To Humiliate Due To Caste Identity: P&H High Court

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has set aside charges framed under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, observing that the offence cannot be attracted merely on the ground that the victim belongs to the SC/ST community without intention to humiliate him due to his caste. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar said, "merely the fact that the victim belongs to...

Projects Of National Importance Can't Be Halted Due To Delay In Settling Award For Land-Losers: Punjab & Haryana High Court In NHAI's Plea

Observing that project of national importance should not be halted due to lackadaisical approach of authorities, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to ensure the encumbrance-free possession of land for national highway projects, including the Delhi-Katra Expressway.Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Kuldeep Tiwari said, "this Court is required to be...