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Punjab and Haryana HC halts suspension of SDO by minister Anil Vij

Judge stays action against official accused of demanding bribe for poultry farm connection, slams Energy Minister for overstepping authority

3 min readOct 29, 2025 01:18 PM IST

The judge pointed out that only the managing director of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) can take disciplinary action against its employees, as laid down in service rules protected by Article 309 of the Constitution.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday put an immediate stop to the suspension of a senior electricity official in Guhla, calling it a clear case of political pressure by Haryana’s Energy Minister.

Justice Harpreet Singh Brar described the minister’s directive to suspend Sub-Divisional Officer Rahul Yadav as “clearly” beyond his powers and warned that such moves risk shaking public trust in fair governance.

The trouble began when Abhinav, son of local resident Balwinder Singh, repeatedly applied for a permanent power connection for his Vishal Poultry Farm. Officials rejected the requests, saying the building was still under construction and only a temporary line could be given.

On August 27, a junior engineer issued a notice asking the family to remove an unauthorized structure built under a high-voltage line and to sign a safety undertaking. The family refused both.

Frustrated, Balwinder Singh took the matter to the District Grievance Committee (DGC) in Kaithal, chaired by Energy Minister Anil Vij. During the October 10 meeting, the minister ordered Yadav’s immediate suspension and asked police to register a criminal case, alleging the officer had demanded a bribe.

Yadav challenged the move in court on October 14. Ten days later, on October 24, the power utility’s managing director formally suspended him — an order the officer said was rushed through to “appease” the minister.

In a strongly worded interim order, Justice Brar observed:

“Clearly, respondent No. 7 (Minister Vij) does not have the authority to direct the suspension of the petitioner for any professional misconduct.”

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Quoting an October 13 communication from a UHBVN superintending engineer, the court highlighted how the minister’s verbal instructions were treated as binding: “Hon’ble Energy Minister issued direction… to suspend… Sh. Rahul Yadav… also issued direction to the Superintendent of Police to lodge FIR against Sh. Rahul Yadav…”

The court called the subsequent suspension order an “eyewash” passed “with a predetermined mind, without conducting any independent assessment.”

Justice Brar stressed the larger principle: “Disciplinary proceedings possess a certain sacrosanct nature and have to be carried out strictly in terms of the prescribed procedure… It is of the utmost importance that the actions of the State and its instrumentalities do not appear whimsical and fanciful lest it may erode the faith of the public in the constitutional promise of the rule of law.”

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Until the next hearing on April 21, 2026, the court has stayed the minister’s October 13 directive and barred any coercive steps, including arrest, based on the DGC meeting. Rahul Yadav remains on duty.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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