Punjab & Haryana High Court Rejects Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira's Plea For Quashing Inquiry In Disproportionate Assets Case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira seeking the quashing of an ongoing vigilance inquiry against him in connection with a disproportionate assets (DA) case. Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya found no merit in Khaira's plea, allowing the inquiry to proceed as per law.The Congress MLA had alleged that on account of political vendetta and malicious witch hunt unleashed against him by the ruling party in the State of Punjab. The plea stated that the present case reflects a sordid saga and a sad scenario in the State wherein the investigating agencies of the State are being unleashed against political opponents so as to muzzle any kind of criticism and dissent. It is the aforementioned sense of vengeance which has resulted in the State registering a series of FIRs against him ever since there has been a change of guard in the State. "Besides, registering fresh FIRs, attempts were made to reopen old cases which had beer quashed up till the highest Court in the country solely with a view to entangle the Petitioner in a labyrinth of cases so as to compel and coerce him into silence," it added.The plea alleged that, despite being subjected to a series of excesses by the instrumentalities of the State the Petitioner refused to bow down and continued to play the role of an effective opposition leader."A new strategy has been devised whereby an open-ended enquiry has been initiated against the Petitioner which has remained pending for more than 20 months, in violation all constitutional and statutory safeguards as an asbestos around the neck of the Petitioner so as to supress his independent voice," it added.Counsel appearing for the Punjab Government, Ad. AG Chanchal Singla, submitted that the documents relied upon by Khaira were obtained through illegal sources, and that he has not been made an accused in any case yet.A detailed order is awaitedSenior Advocate Chetan Mittal and Advocate P.S Ahluwalia appeared for the petitioner.Ad AG Chanchal Singla appeared for the Punjab Government.Title: Sukhpal Singh Khaira v . State of Punjab

Punjab & Haryana High Court Rejects Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira's Plea For Quashing Inquiry In Disproportionate Assets Case

Aiman J. Chishti

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