5 days ago
Punjab HC Seeks State Response on Institutionalised Corruption Allegations
A lawyer told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that serious corruption may have happened in the state government.
The allegations involve senior officials.
The lawyer also alleged that official powers, government procedures and tender processes were misused.
The court said the claims were serious and needed a careful response.
It asked the Punjab government what action it planned to take.
The court also asked the Enforcement Directorate to show letters allegedly sent to the state police chief.
The judges did not yet decide whether the allegations were true.
The case will be considered again on September 3.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court sought the Punjab government’s response to allegations of large-scale, institutionalised corruption.
The allegations involve senior state officials and claims of abuse of official position and criminal conspiracy.
The petition alleges manipulation of governmental, tender and administrative processes.
The court directed the Enforcement Directorate to produce communications allegedly sent to Punjab’s Director-General of Police.
The case was listed for September 3, with the court seeking details of proposed action from the state government and police.
- Who
- Advocate Nikhil Saraf filed the petition; the Punjab government, senior state officials and the Enforcement Directorate are involved. The bench comprised Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor.
- What
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court sought a state response to allegations of large-scale, institutionalised corruption and directed the Enforcement Directorate to produce alleged communications to the Punjab Director-General of Police.
- Where
- The proceedings took place before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
- When
- The directions were issued on Thursday, and the matter was listed for September 3.
- Why
- The court said the allegations were serious and sought to determine what action the Punjab government and state police proposed to take.
Key facts
- Court
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Bench
- Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor
- Petitioner
- Advocate Nikhil Saraf
- Allegations
- Large-scale and institutionalised corruption, abuse of official position, criminal conspiracy, and manipulation of governmental, tender and administrative processes
- Agency asked for records
- Enforcement Directorate
- Records sought
- Communications allegedly sent to the Punjab Director-General of Police
- Next listing
- September 3
Quotes
Punjab and Haryana High Court Division Bench
The Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor.
“Before we proceed to take cognizance of the grievance raised…it would be appropriate to call upon the counsel representing ED, to place before the court the communications sent to the DGP…as is alleged by the petitioner.”
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