Punjab & Haryana High Court Quashes Rape Case Under POCSO Act Noting Victim Is 'Happily' Married With Accused

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has quashed a rape case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after noting that the victim is now happily married to the accused.Justice Kirti Singh said, “the considered view that since the petitioner and the prosecutrix-respondent…are now happily married, continuing with the criminal proceedings will cause...

'Money Laundering Is Independent Offence': P&H High Court Rejects Sukhpal Khaira's Plea To Defer PMLA Trial In View Of Stay On NDPS Case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed Punjab Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira's plea seeking to set aside an order of the Special Court refusing to defer trial in a money laundering case registered against him. Khaira argued that since the trial in the NDPS case remained stayed in view of State of Punjab's statement before the Supreme Court, continuation of the PMLA trial would...

'CBI Is Over-Burdened', Show Lapse In Police Investigation To Transfer Probe: P&H High Court In IPS Puran Kumar Suicide Case

While hearing a plea seeking transfer of probe into IPS Puran Kumar's alleged suicide to the CBI, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday (October 31) orally said that the central agency is already "overburdened" and the court cannot "casually" pass orders transferring probe unless lapse in police's investigation is shown. The plea, filed by Navneet Kumar, President of a Haryana NGO,...

Not Appropriate To Restrain Vigilance Inquiry, Says Punjab & Haryana High Court While Dismissing MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira's Plea in DA Case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has refused to interfere with a vigilance inquiry initiated against Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in a disproportionate assets (DA) case, observing that it would not be appropriate to restrain the Vigilance Bureau from conducting its inquiry at this stage.The Court dismissed Khaira's petition, which sought to quash the vigilance inquiry initiated on...

Courts Must Consider Social Realities, Adopt Pragmatic Approach When Considering Accused's Plea To Travel Abroad: P&H High Court

Observing that "courts must not remain in an 'ivory tower', but must engage with and adjudicate in consonance with evolving social realities", the Punjab & Haryana High Court has said that Courts must take a pragmatic approach in considering an accused's plea to travel abroad.Justice Sumeet Goel said, “When seized of an application by an accused entreating for permission to travel...

Consider Giving Interest On Late Salary Paid To Anganwadi Workers: P&H High Court Asks Punjab Government

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab Government to consider paying interest on delayed salary payments to Anganwadi workers.A bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry had taken suo motu cognizance over the alleged non-payment of honorarium to nearly 50,000 Anganwadi workers for six months.However, the Chief Secretary submitted that arrears of 06 months'...

P&H High Court Directs CBDT To Extend ITR Filing Due Date For Assessees Who Are Required To File Audit Report

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to extend the due date for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for assessees who are required to submit audit reports.Justice Lisa Gill and Justice Meenakshi I. Mehta took note of the Gujarat High Court's decision, where it had extended the date till November 30.The Gujarat High Court after noting that as...

“Criminal Process Becomes Tool Of Harassment If Accused's Relatives Are Over-Implicated": P&H High Court Rejects Plea U/S 319 CrPC

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has cautioned against the tendency of complainants to over-implicate friends and relatives of the main accused in criminal cases, observing that such practices risk converting the criminal process into a tool of harassment rather than justice.While dismissing a revision plea against rejecting the prosecution's application under Section 319 CrPC seeking to...

'Artificial Delay Created By Accused Not Grounds For Bail': P&H High Court Issues Directions To Fast-Track NDPS Trials

In a significant step toward expediting trials under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a comprehensive set of guidelines for Special Courts to ensure the timely disposal of cases involving commercial quantities of contraband.The Court clarified that the directions shall come into force from January 01, 2026.It also added...

P&H High Court Upholds Punishment Of Armed Forces Officer Over Religiously Provocative Speech, Says It 'Betrayed Constitutional Values'

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has upheld the disciplinary punishment imposed on a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer accused of delivering a religiously provocative speech at a public gathering, observing that such conduct betrays constitutional values and the disciplined character expected of members of the armed forces.Justice Sandeep Moudgil said, "members of a...

Energy Minister Has No Authority To Suspend UHBVN Officer, Only Managing Director Is Authorised: P&H High Court

Observing that State's fanciful action erodes public faith, the Punjab & Haryana High Court observed that the Energy Minister of Haryana, while acting as Chairman of the District Grievance Committee (DGC), has no authority to direct the suspension of an officer of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVN). The Court held that disciplinary action against a UHBVN employee can...

P&H High Court Issues Notice On Plea Seeking Emergency Medical Care For Accident Victims After Punjabi Singer's Death In Collision

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought a response from the Union of India, the States of Punjab and Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions to ensure the availability of preliminary and emergency medical care to accident victims.The petition has been filed by Lawyers for Human Rights International, in the wake of the...