2 hrs ago
Punjab Chief Secretary Apologizes as High Court Refers DA Case
Punjab’s Chief Secretary appeared in court because judges had questions about what he said regarding the state’s appeal.
The appeal concerns money owed to government employees and pensioners.
The state’s lawyer said the Chief Secretary did not mean to mislead the court and was ready to apologize.
One report says he offered an unconditional apology, while another says he was willing to offer one if the court wanted.
The judges said the court’s dignity must be protected.
They sent the contempt matter to the bench that handles such cases.
A court registry report showed that the state’s appeals still had paperwork defects.
The case is due to be heard again on October 12.
The court has not made a final finding of criminal contempt.
Punjab Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha appeared before the Punjab and Haryana High Court over alleged misleading statements about the state’s appeal in a dearness allowance case.
The state’s counsel said Sinha had no intention to mislead the court and was willing to offer an unconditional apology; one report said he offered it.
The court said judicial dignity and authority must be protected and referred the contempt matter to the bench with jurisdiction under the roster.
A Supreme Court Registry report showed that the state’s and Punjab State Power Corporation Limited’s appeals still had defects, according to the proceedings.
The case is listed for October 12; the High Court’s August 3 judgment had ordered payment of pending DA and DR instalments, with interest for late payment.
- Who
- Punjab Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, the Punjab government, and the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
- What
- The High Court referred proceedings over alleged misleading statements and possible criminal contempt to the appropriate roster bench.
- Where
- Punjab and Haryana High Court.
- When
- Friday; the next hearing is scheduled for October 12. The reports do not specify the year.
- Why
- The court questioned statements about the status of the state’s appeal against an order for payment of pending DA and DR, while a Supreme Court Registry report showed defects remained in the appeals.
Court and Employees
Punjab Government
Statements about the Supreme Court appeal
Court and Employees
The court questioned the accuracy of information about the appeal and said judicial dignity could not be compromised. The employees’ counsel said the appeal had not yet been listed before the Supreme Court.
Punjab Government
The state’s counsel said Sinha did not intend to mislead the court and was willing to tender an unconditional apology.
Responsibility for outstanding DA liabilities
Court and Employees
The court said the relevant records had already been examined before it issued its judgment directing payment.
Punjab Government
The state’s counsel argued that the outstanding DA liabilities had accumulated during previous governments’ tenures.
Key facts
- Chief Secretary
- K.A.P. Sinha
- Court
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Next hearing
- October 12
- Appeal status
- A Supreme Court Registry report showed that appeals by the Punjab government and PSPCL continued to have defects.
- Underlying judgment
- The High Court’s August 3 judgment directed payment of pending DA and DR instalments.
- Late-payment interest
- The August 3 order set simple interest at six per cent annually for delayed dues, from the end of the payment period until payment.
- Contempt finding
- No final finding of criminal contempt has been recorded.
Quotes
Punjab and Haryana High Court division bench
The division bench comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor.
“This court is enjoined with the task of ensuring that majesty of the court is not compromised in any way. Even suggestions questioning the propriety or conduct of proceedings have to be dealt with carefully.”
thehansindia.com
“In such circumstances we deem it appropriate to direct this matter to be placed before the court, having jurisdiction as per roster, to deal with such matters.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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