79,000 FIRs Pending Investigation In Punjab, 'Shocking': High Court Seeks Action Plan From DGP

Expressing shock at the staggering figure of 79,000 FIRs in Punjab still awaiting logical conclusion in the FIRs despite lapse of statutory period, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has sought action plan within a period of two weeks from the Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab.Justice Sandeep Moudgil said, "State is called upon to submit an Action Plan within a period of two weeks,...

[Self-Incrimination] Company Cannot Seek Protection Under Article 20(3) Of Constitution Without Satisfying Its Ingredients: P&H High Court

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has made it clear that a company cannot refuse to produce a summoned document by seeking protection of Article 20(3) of the constitution, without satisfying its ingredients.Article 20(3) ensures that no person accused of an offense shall be compelled to be a witness against themselves. This means that an individual cannot be forced to provide evidence...

Judge's Security Breach | Punjab & Haryana HC Directs Continuation Of Heightened Security, Asks Judge To Scale It Down As Per Threat Perception

The Punjab & Haryana High Court directed to continue with the security provided to the sitting High Court judge who recently experienced a security breach in Golden Temple, Amritsar.Previously, Court had directed to deploy 3-4 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in security of the judge along with his Personal Security arrangement.On September 22, a man pulled out the gun of...

Denying Subsistence Allowance To Home Guard Who Worked For 27 Yrs On Ground That He Wasn't 'Permanent' Violates Art 14 & 21: Punjab & Haryana HC

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the authorities to grant subsistence allowance to a home guard who worked continuously for 27 years, observing that denying the same on the ground that he was not permanent or regular employee would be violative of Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution.State authorities while opposing the plea for subsistence allowance submitted that the home...

Lawrence Bishnoi Interview: Dismissed DSP Moves High Court, Says 'Made Scapegoat' By Punjab Government

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today (January 16) issued notice on a plea filed by dismissed Punjab DSP Gursher Singh Sandhu, whose services were terminated in connection with an FIR lodged for facilitating Lawrence Bishnoi interview from jail.Justice Jagmohan Bansal while issuing notice to Punjab Government and other authorities deferred the matter for February 20.Sandhu contended that he...

Subjected To Multiple FIRs Solely For Harassment: Punjab & Haryana High Court Grants Bail To Alleged Conman Aman Skoda In Fraud Case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court granted bail to conman Aman Skoda accused of defrauding by taking hefty sum of money in exchange of providing government job in Punjab.Amandeep Kamboj, alias Aman Skoda, was declared proclaimed offender in other cases and was absconding for 2 years and allegedly involved in 48 FIRs. He was arrested in Varanasi in March, 2024 by Punjab Police.It was alleged...

Setting Aside Of Main Case Only A Relevant Factor When Considering Quashing Plea For Offence U/S 174A IPC: Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has said that an FIR under Section 174-A IPC (non-appearance of a person in response to a court summons or warrant of arrest) does not get quashed merely because the main case is quashed or the parties have entered into compromise, however the same will be a relevant factor to consider in the quashing plea. Justice Sumeet Goel said, "The statutory provision...

'Material In Chargesheet Doesn't Make Out Offence': Punjab & Haryana HC Quashes FIR Against Woman Booked For Spreading COVID-19

The Punjab & Haryana High Court quashed an FIR lodged against a woman–an international civil servant with the United Nations–who traveled from South Africa to India, under Sections 269 IPC and Section 51 of Disaster Management Act for allegedly spreading COVID-19 infection during the outbreak in 2021.As per Section 269 IPC, whoever unlawfully or negligently does any act which is,...

High Court Expresses Shock Over Punjab Election Commissioner Allowing Nominated State Functionaries To Manage Municipal Bodies Sans Election

It is an extremely sorry state of affairs especially in a democratic polity, the Punjab & Haryana High Court said while expressing shock to note that despite the constitutional mandate to hold election before the last term Punjab State Election Commission allowed State to manage Municipal bodies without election since last 4-5 years.Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sudhir Singh said,...

Public Faith In Judiciary Will Be Weakened: Punjab & Haryana High Court Refuses To Answer Reference, Calls It 'Coram Non Judice'

The Punjab and Haryana High Court refused to answer a reference question placed before it, observing that that the single judge prima facie breached the "norm of propriety governing judicial functionings" and called itself as "coram non judice".The single judge while differring with the opinion of the co-ordinate bench had referred the matter to decide whether the mechanism followed by the...

Punjab & Haryana HC Issues Notice On Contempt Plea Against State Authorities For Permitting Alcohol Promoting Songs At Diljit's Concert

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notices on a contempt petition filed against various State authorities for allegedly permitting Diljit Dosanjh to sing alcohol related songs in his Ludhiana concert, in violation of its 2019 direction.The High Court in Reet Mohinder v. State of Punjab had ordered the DGPs of both the States as well as the Chandigarh UT administration to ensure...

Vigilance Dept Lodged Case Based On Pseudo Complaint Which Victimised Accused: Punjab & Haryana HC Quashes Corruption FIR

The Punjab & Haryana High Court quashed an FIR lodged under Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act) against Gulmohar Township India Pvt Ltd and its director for allegedly fraudulently bifurcating a land into smaller plots without following due process of law and causing huge loss to State exchequer.The Court noted that the complaint was lodged by "Navjot Singh-congressman" whose identity...