Archive · 11 Dec 2025
Punjab HC Hears Plea on Rural Poll Rejections
The Punjab and Haryana High Court heard a case about 18 people who were not allowed to run in local village elections.
These people, who support the Congress party, say that the election officials unfairly rejected their papers.
The officials said the candidates were illegally using village land, but the candidates say they had permission and were treated unfairly.
The court is deciding whether to let these candidates run in the elections.
The candidates' lawyer argued that the rejections were not fair and that the officials did not follow the proper rules.
The court is thinking about what to do and has not made a decision yet.
Punjab and Haryana High Court heard a plea from 18 rural candidates whose nomination papers were rejected for Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad elections in Dhariwal block, Gurdaspur district.
Petitioners, all affiliated with the Congress, allege that election officials acted under pressure from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to ensure unopposed victories.
Nominations were rejected on the ground of 'illegal occupancy of village common land,' despite candidates having 'No Objection Certificates' (NOCs) from the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO).
The petitioners' lawyer argued that the rejections were arbitrary and that the officials did not follow mandatory provisions under the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994, and the Punjab Panchayat Election Rules, 1994.
The court reserved orders, noting the constitutional bar on judicial interference in electoral processes, but the petitioners' lawyer cited Supreme Court rulings to argue for pre-poll relief.
- Who
- 18 rural poll candidates from Dhariwal block, Gurdaspur district, Punjab
- What
- Plea against en masse rejection of nomination papers for Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad elections
- When
- Hearing on December 12, 2024; nominations submitted on December 2-4, 2024
- Where
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Why
- Alleged arbitrary rejection of nominations on the ground of illegal occupancy of village common land
- Court
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Petitioners
- 18 rural poll candidates affiliated with Congress
- Ground of Rejection
- Illegal occupancy of village common land
- Date of Hearing
- December 12, 2024
- Key Argument
- Alleged arbitrary and en masse rejection of nominations
- Constitutional Articles Cited
- Articles 226 and 227
- Supreme Court Ruling Cited
- Kuldeep Kumar vs UT Chandigarh (2024)