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Punjab Congress president Warring moves High Court against SC commission notice

Congress MP alleges political motive, says proceedings violate principles of fairness and transparency

3 min readChandigarhNov 20, 2025 09:57 PM IST

Warring has sought the quashing of the notice and a declaration that any proceeding initiated without furnishing the basic material is invalid. (File image)

Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging a notice issued to him by the Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes, calling the action arbitrary, unsupported by evidence and driven by political considerations. On Thursday, Justice Suvir Sehgal recused himself after Warring’s counsel, senior advocate Bipan Ghai assisted by Nikhil Ghai sought urgent hearing, and directed that the case be placed before another bench after orders from the Chief Justice.

Warring’s petition describes the Commission’s notice as “illegal, unjust” and “passed without jurisdiction”. The MP states that the Commission initiated the proceedings suo motu but did not disclose the complaint, supporting material, or any factual basis that would allow him to understand the alleged violation. The petition argues that the absence of this information has “crippled” his right to respond meaningfully.

According to the plea, the Commission acted in a manner that “defies the principles of natural justice” since the notice came without any underlying material being provided. The petition says, “The petitioner has not been supplied the complaint, documents, statements, recordings or any evidence that may have formed the basis of the impugned notice”, adding that such a process is “contrary to transparency” and creates “serious prejudice”.

Warring has further alleged that the Commission’s action is “politically motivated” and has been taken in “undue haste”. The petition says the notice appears to be “engineered to damage the petitioner’s public standing” and to cause harm in view of his position as president of the Punjab Congress. It states that the timing of the proceedings “speaks for itself”, and claims there is “malice in law” behind the decision to pursue the matter without giving him access to the material being relied upon.

The MP has argued that the Commission cannot initiate such action unless there is a properly supported complaint or clear evidence, and that its powers do not extend to starting an inquiry without fulfilling these basic requirements. The petition states that the Commission has “transgressed the boundaries of its authority” and acted “without following the mandatory procedural safeguards”.

Warring has sought the quashing of the notice and a declaration that any proceeding initiated without furnishing the basic material is invalid. He has also asked the court to direct the Commission to act in accordance with law and to ensure that any inquiry follows a transparent process.

At the brief hearing, Bipan Ghai senior counsel for Warring, accompanied by Nikhil Ghai, told the court there was urgency in the matter. Justice Sehgal did not record the reasons for his recusal but directed the registry to place the matter before another bench after the necessary orders from the Chief Justice.

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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