Failure To Pay Hospital Dues : HC Asks Details Of Punjab Govt Funds Spent On Ads, Renovation Of Minister's Houses, Litigation

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed Punjab's Principal Secretary, Finance to file an affidavit giving expenses incurred by the State on publishing advertisement in print and audio-video media, expenses incurred on renovation of the houses of Miniters, MLAs, money spent on litigation at Delhi High Court and Supreme during the period, December 2021 till September 2024.The...

High Court Asks Why Officer Posted At Punjab Police's CIA At Time Of Lawrence Bishnoi Jail Interview Was Given Extension After Retirement

The Punjab & Haryana High Court asked Punjab Government why Punjab Police officer posted at its Crime Intelligence Agency (CIA), where Lawrence Bishnoi's interview from jail was allegedly conducted, was given extension after retirement.Amicus Curiae Tanu Bedi highlighted that Bishnoi had been kept at the premises of the CIA Staff Kharar for a long period of time and repeated remands had...

High Court Attaches Salary Of Punjab Health Secy, Others For Not Paying Dues To Hospitals Despite Release Of Funds Under Ayushman Bharat

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has till October 16, attached salaries of senior officers, including the Punjab's Principal Secretary of the Health Department, for failing to release pending dues to hospitals under Ayushman Bharat Scheme.Justice Vinod Bhardwaj said, "This Court also tentatively records that there is no satisfactory explanation put forth before this Court as to why despite...

High Court Reinstates Punjab Judicial Officer Who Was Dispensed From Service During Probation For Allegedly Misbehaving With On Duty Doctors

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed reinstatement of a judicial magistrate, who was dispensed from service during probation period for allegedly misbehaving with on duty doctors conducting enquiry into the death of a prisoner.On the basis of the video clips of the alleged incident, the Vigilance Committee of the High Court had concluded that the judge misbehaved with the doctors...

Society Imparting Knowledge Or Skills Qualifies For 'Education' Label, Entitled To Exemption Under Section 12A Of Income Tax Act: Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court held that a society that imparts knowledge or skills qualifies for the 'education' label under the Income Tax Act, making it eligible for tax exemptions under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.The Division Bench of Justices Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Sanjay Vashisth observed that “……Vocational training has been now recognized to be an important as...

Sentence Imposed On Re-Convict Can Be Suspended If Expeditious Hearing Of His Appeal Not Likely: Punjab & Haryana HC Answers Reference

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has said that the sentence imposed on a person, who was already convicted in another case, can also be suspended when there's no likelihood of his appeal being heard expeditiously.Division bench of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Sudeepti Sharma remarked that right to speedy trial under Article 21 is also available to "re-convicts". It said, "the...

Punjab Is Border State, Police Needed To Maintain Law & Order Instead Of Guarding 'Privileged Class' On Unsubstantiated Threats: High Court

Observing that Punjab being a border State needs its Police for maintaining law and order, the Punjab & Haryana High Court refused the plea of a lawyer seeking commando protection.Justice Manisha Batra said, "As a matter of principle, private individuals should not be given security at the expenses of State, until and unless it is found by the competent authority that there were...

Husband Can't Make Voluntary Deductions Like EMI From His Income To Grant Less Maintenance To Wife: Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court, while deciding the quantum of maintenance to be granted to a wife, said that the husband cannot be permitted to make voluntary deductions from his gross income which are not legally compulsory.The Court enhanced the maintenance amount by modifying the family court's decision wherein it had allowed the husband to deduct an amount of Rs.10,000, which he...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Grants Interim Pre-Arrest Bail In Cheating Case On Condition Of Planting Ten Saplings Of Indigenous Plants

The Punjab and Haryana High Court granted interim anticipatory bail in a cheating case, subject to the condition of planting 10 saplings of indigenous plants in a public place. It stated further, that if the condition is not complied with, the order will be recalled.Chief Justice Sheel Nagu said, "The petitioner shall plant 10 saplings of indigenous plants at a public place and submit proof...

Provision To Direct Interim Compensation Under NI Act Is Discretionary, Financial Distress On Accused Must Be Considered: P&H High Court

The Punjab & Haryana High Court made it clear that the provision under Section 143A of the Negotiable Instrument Act (NI Act) is not mandatory but discretionary in nature and parameters including financial distress which the accused will have to bear need to be considered before passing an order.According to Section 143A of the NIA the Court trying an offence under section 138 may order...

Pension Is Not Charity By State To Employees But Its Duty: P&H High Court Imposes ₹1 Lakh Cost For Denying Pension To Widow For 12 Yrs

The Punjab & Haryana High Court imposed a cost of Rs. 1 lakh on Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) and Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (HVPNL) for denying pension to a widow for over 12 years, observing that, "the pension and pensionary benefits including a family pension is not a charity done by the State and it is a duty of the State" to provide the same.Justice...

Loss Caused To Hundreds Of Home-Buyers: Punjab & Haryana HC Directs Trial Court To Conclude Trial Of Realtor In Fraud Case Within 4 Months

The Punjab & Haryana High Court said that a Court is obligated to ensure that 'justice not only has to be done but it should look to have done', while directing the trial court to conclude trial within four months in a complaint pertaining to fraud allegedly committed upon home buyers by Punjab realtor Jarnail Singh Bajwa.Justice Sandeep Moudgil said, "Speedy trial secures rights to...