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Punjab and Haryana HC takes on record audio of Patiala police conference call on ‘stopping’ Opposition candidates

Punjab Advocate General M S Bedi argued that Daljit Singh Cheema, as a former Akali Dal minister, could not use the PIL route to raise a partisan grievance.

3 min readDec 4, 2025 04:26 PM IST

Punjab Advocate General M S Bedi stoutly opposed the plea, arguing that it was politically motivated and not maintainable as a public interest litigation. (File Photo)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday took on record an audio recording allegedly featuring Patiala police officials discussing ways to obstruct Opposition candidates from filing nominations for the December 14 local body polls. The bench also directed that the State Election Commission be given a copy.

The petition was filed by Daljit Singh Cheema, a former minister in the previous Akali Dal government. The matter was heard by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry.

At the start of the hearing, Cheema’s counsel read from what he described as a recorded conference call between the Patiala senior superintendent of police (made a respondent in the case) and several deputy superintendents of police. The audio, he said, had circulated widely on social media and in the press, and contained “explicit instructions” to deploy the police as a partisan force to prevent Opposition candidates, particularly those of Shiromani Akali Dal, from reaching nomination centres.

He read aloud purported directions from the call, including that Opposition candidates “must be stopped at their house, village or on the road”, that nomination papers should be “snatched 5 km before the centre”, and that the returning officer would “reject the nomination” if anyone managed to enter the building. He argued that the recording revealed a “premeditated criminal conspiracy” meant to ensure uncontested victories for ruling party candidates, in violation of the Model Code of Conduct and Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

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When the bench asked whether a complaint had been filed before the State Election Commission, counsel said it had been submitted, though no copy was initially on record. The court repeatedly pressed: “Where is your complaint?”

Punjab Advocate General M S Bedi stoutly opposed the plea, arguing that it was politically motivated and not maintainable as a public interest litigation. He said Cheema, as a former Akali Dal minister, could not use the PIL route to raise a partisan grievance. “It’s a political interest litigation,” he said.

Dictating an oral order, Chief Justice Nagu observed that the petition alleges that undue influence has been exercised on the state functionaries by the party in power in the state of Punjab to influence the local body elections. Polling is scheduled for the 14th.

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Chief Justice Nagu noted, “The counsel for the petitioner states that he has made a complaint to the State Election Commissioner of Punjab, which is not on record. During the course of arguments, a complaint letter has been produced.”

He also allowed the petitioner to place both the audio recording and its transcript on record. “When was that audio recording recorded? … Last night, late night? The complaint is taken on record as Annexure X, with a copy to the other side,” he added.

The bench asked the respondents, including the State Election Commission, to file their responses.

The hearing ended with Advocate General Bedi again questioning the locus of the petitioner. “He is a political person…it’s a personal dispute not a PIL.”

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