Claiming Influence Over Judges To Extract Money Erodes Public Faith In Justice System: P&H High Court Denies Bail

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has refused regular bail to a man accused of participating in a fraud scheme wherein large sums of money were allegedly extracted from a litigant on the false pretext of securing favourable court orders through influence with High Court judges.Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj said, "This Court is also unable to ignore the specific allegations attributed to...

Can Live-In Couples Seek Police Protection Without Fulfilling Legal Pre-Conditions?: P&H High Court Answers

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a plea filed by a couple seeking protection from alleged harassment by their relatives over their live-in relationship, holding that such protection cannot be granted in the absence of fulfillment of legally recognized conditions for live-in relationship. [2026 LiveLaw (PH) 196]Justice Sandeep Moudgil noted that the petitioners were living...

Punjab Govt Opposes Journalist Rattandeep Dhaliwal's Plea Against Complaints By AAP MLAs, Calls It 'Premature'

In the plea filed by journalist and YouTuber Rattandeep Singh Dhaliwal challenging multiple complaints lodged against him by AAP MLAs, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today was informed by the Punjab Government that the petition is premature and not maintainable.On May 21, Dhaliwal in his podcast said that about 32 sitting MLAs might not be considered as party candidates for the upcoming...

Is Sole Surviving Widow Entitled To Full Family Pension Despite Being 'Second Wife'? P&H High Court Answers

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that where a deceased government employee is survived by only one widow and there are no eligible claimants from a pre-deceased spouse, the surviving widow is entitled to full (100%) family pension.The Court clarified that the State cannot retain any portion of the pension by misapplying provisions meant for cases involving multiple...

Accused Must Rebut Presumption Under NI Act, Mere Claim Of 'Blank Security Cheque' Not Enough: Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has reiterated that once the execution of a cheque is admitted, the statutory presumption under the Negotiable Instruments Act operates in favour of the complainant, and a mere plea that the cheque was issued as a blank security instrument is insufficient to rebut such presumption.Justice Sumeet Goel said, "accused has miserably failed to raise any...

Trial Court Can't Summon Doctor In Medical Negligence Case Without Awaiting Expert Opinion It Sought: Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has set aside a summoning order issued against a doctor in a criminal complaint alleging medical negligence, holding that the trial court acted perversely in proceeding without awaiting an expert opinion which it had itself directed to be obtained.Justice Surya Pratap Singh noted, "it abundantly clear that there was a direction by the learned trial Court to...

Limitation Act | Suit For Compensation By Dependent Of Deceased Not Barred Under Article 82: Punjab & Haryana High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that a suit filed by a dependent seeking compensation for the death of a family member is not barred by limitation under Article 82 of the Limitation Act, 1963, if the claim is based on an independent civil right and not under the Fatal Accidents Act.Justice Nidhi Gupta said, "suit of the plaintiff is not governed by Article 82 of the Limitation Act;...

Video Conferencing Rules Must Be Meaningfully Applied: P&H High Court Allows Examination Of Witness On VC

The Punjab and Haryana High Court set aside a trial court order refusing to permit the examination of a material witness through video conferencing, emphasizing that procedural rules must be applied in a manner that advances access to justice rather than defeats it.Justice Virinder Aggarwal said, "It is pertinent to note that the requisite technological infrastructure for conducting...

'Right To Health Integral To Article 21': P&H High Court Flags Need To Revisit Medical Reimbursement Policies

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has underscored that the right to health and medical care is an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, while calling for a humane and practical approach in matters of medical reimbursement for State employees and pensioners.Justice Sandeep Moudgil said, "It is the opinion of this Court that the most equitable way forward is...

Professionally Active Wife's Plea Of Inability To Travel Doesn't Inspire Confidence: P&H High Court Declines Transfer Of Divorce Case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a transfer petition filed by a wife seeking transfer of a divorce case instituted by her husband from Amritsar to Hoshiarpur, holding that no sufficient ground or genuine hardship was made out to warrant such transfer.Justice Nidhi Gupta said, "Moreover, from the material placed on record, including photographs annexed by respondent No.1,...

P&H High Court Directs Centre To Treat Ex-IAS Ashok Khema As Empanelled Deemed Addl Secy. & Secy, Holds Denial Arbitrary

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has allowed a plea filed by retired IAS officer Ashok Khemka, holding that denial of empanelment to the rank of Additional Secretary/Secretary to the Government of India, despite similar relaxations granted to other officers, was discriminatory and violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.A Division Bench comprising Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi...

'Preventive Detention Not Sustainable Upon Mere Suspicion': P&H High Court Quashes Detention Under PIT-NDPS Act

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has set aside a preventive detention order passed under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988 (PIT NDPS Act), on several grounds including that unexplained and inordinate delay at multiple stages vitiated the detention.Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj said, "Preventive detention would not be sustained upon a...