Nomination of 5 govt nominees stayed

The PIL will now come up for further hearing on April 2.

Notice to Punjab on shelterless in winter

Chandigarh: The World Human Rights Protection Council through its chairman Ranjan Lakhanpal has sought directions to the Punjab government to provide shelter to those who are homeless in the time of winter. The petitioner has referred to the latest Supreme Court guidelines for provision of night shelter to the homeless. The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued notice to the Punjab government,asking it to respond to the PIL.

The biting chill has made the going difficult for the shelterless. Most of them spend the night on the pavements or corridors of markets.

2 judges’ retirement: Notice to Punjab

Chandigarh: Around four months ago,the Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered premature retirement of two lower court judges. Despite the orders of the High Court,the Punjab government has not yet removed them. Taking strong note of the non-compliance,the High Court has taken suo motu notice of this and issued notices to the Punjab government and its Chief Secretary asking as to why the orders have not been complied with. Notices were issued on Friday.

Plea on SGPC general house dismissed

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed the petition seeking stay on the meetings and proceedings of the newly constituted general house of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The petition was moved following a Full Bench order restoring voting rights of Sehajdhari Sikhs. The HC disposed of this petition,saying the petitioner could approach the appropriate forum seeking the said relief.

Accepting a petition moved by the Sehajdhari Sikh Federation (SSF),challenging the Centre’s October 8,2003 notification,a Full Bench of the High Court,headed by Justice Surya Kant,on December 22 had ruled that an amendment to an Act could only be made by the legislature and not the Central government,paving the way for Sehajdharis to claim their right to vote in the SGPC polls. After several years of litigation,the matter was remanded by the Supreme Court to the High Court for final adjudication. The court had held that the “directions issued by the Central government cannot partake the character of a parliamentary legislation”. Following this judgment,a petition was moved seeking stay on meetings of the general house.

Haryana directed to produce Rathore file

Chandigarh: In the wake of unavailability of the inquiry report prepared by the then Haryana director general of police R R Singh against S P S Rathore,the High Court on Friday asked the Central government and the CBI to locate original file and produce the same before the High Court on the next date of hearing. The case has been adjourned for two weeks. The report was prepared after a complaint was filed by Ruchika Girhotra’s family.

The court has directed the authorities to place on record the file connected with the promotion of Rathore to ascertain which authority was responsible for his promotion to the post of DGP despite a molestation case pending against him.