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Surender Sharma

Surender Sharma is a principal correspondent at Chandigarh. He covers Punjab and Haryana high court.

Articles by Surender Sharma

HC upholds Punjab govt decision of sacking cop without probe

The Punjab and Haryana high court has upheld the decision of the Punjab government to dismiss a cop from service without a departmental inquiry in 1981.

Chandigarh

Published on Sep 05, 2024 10:32 PM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

24 years on, armyman’s widow to get ₹10 lakh on HC’s intervention

A petition was filed against the government’s decision in 2003 which was decided in 2016 with the directions to reconsider the claim. The same was rejected by Haryana again in March 2017. It was against this order she filed the petition in 2018 which has been decided now in her favour.

The petitioner’s argument was that as per the Haryana government policy of November 30, 1999, amended in the backdrop of Kargil war, his death was to be treated as casualty in an operational area.

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 05, 2024 08:54 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

HC asks Punjab to deposit ₹12 crore; CPCB to conduct tests at all STP plants

The Punjab and Haryana high court has directed the Punjab government to deposit ₹12 crore with high court registry and also asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to conduct tests at all sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Punjab to check pollution levels in the water being discharged from these plants.

The court passed the order after came to light that statistics and claims made before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the court do not match. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Aug 31, 2024 11:41 PM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Amritpal didn’t stop his ‘unlawful’ activities even in detention: Punjab to high court

There is material on record which proves that Amritpal Singh has been deeply involved in activities prejudicial to the security of the state and public order: Punjab govt

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 30, 2024 08:52 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

PSIEC scam: HC asks vigilance bureau to complete probe expeditiously

The high court bench of chief justice Sheel Nagu and justice Anil Kshetarpal was dealing with a 2020 public interest litigation (PIL) seeking probe; and four petitions filed by officials of PSIEC — Savtej Singh Sandhu, Surinderpal Singh, Jaswinder Singh Randhawa and Amarjeet Singh — who had challenged sanction granted by the managing director of the PSIEC for the probe in February 2024

The Punjab and Haryana high court has asked the vigilance bureau (VB) to complete probe into the alleged plot allotment scam in Punjab State Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC), a body that the government owns, expeditiously.

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 29, 2024 10:12 AM IST

BySurender Sharma

Study leave a privilege, can’t be claimed as a matter of right: HC

In April 2018, Pandit BD Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, had declined his request, citing Regulation 27 of the University Employees Leave Regulations, which states that paid study leave can be granted only if 75% of the total strength of the teachers of the department are available and working. But at that point of time, the percentage would have fallen to 68.18%, if his leave was approved.

The high court bench of chief justice Sheel Nagu and justice Anil Kshetarpal refused to interfere with the decision of Pt. BD Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, wherein it had rejected a study leave application from a doctor, Vikas Chaudhary, prompting him to move court in 2018. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 25, 2024 06:12 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Can army be roped in to track illegal mining along Pak border, HC asks Centre

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the Centre if the army can be deployed to detect illegal mining along the Punjab-Pakistan border, seeking a response by September 18.

The court took a serious note of an application moved by the petitioner who appended a February 22 letter from the police to the mining secretary regarding illegal mining in different locations of Punjab.

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 24, 2024 08:00 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

HC allows 28-week pregnant woman awaiting divorce to abort foetus

As per the plea of the woman, who is from Mohali and got married in January 2024, her husband and his family were not happy with the dowry given at the time of marriage, and started taunting and harassing her over it.

While allowing the woman’s plea for termination of pregnancy, the court referred to a Supreme Court judgment wherein it was held “the right of a woman to have a reproductive choice is an insegregable part of her personal liberty, as envisaged under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 20, 2024 08:30 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: High court for action against DSP, others, for ‘dereliction’ of duty

The Punjab and Haryana high court was hearing a plea from one Manmohan Singh, who had approached court in May claiming threat to his life and as he was getting threat calls and messages from gangster Lucky Patial through WhatsApp

The Punjab and Haryana high court’s observation had come in the wake of petitioner placing on certain documents, which revealed that certain calls had been made by the complainant petitioner to the DSP who did not respond to them. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 18, 2024 07:36 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: HC turns down plea for OBC quota in UIET, CCET courses

The plea was from a student, who was seeking admission to engineering courses being run by University Institute of Engineering Technology (UIET) and Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology (CCET ) under the OBC category

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 17, 2024 10:02 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

High court fines Ludhiana woman ₹50K for filing plaint to ‘harass’ ex-husband

The Punjab and Haryana high court has opined that filing of complaint reflects “gross abuse” of the process of the law.

A couple filed for a divorce which was decreed by an Uttarakhand court in 2014, but the woman later accused her husband of cheating, rape and domestic violence.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 30, 2024 09:00 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Full pension row: Setback to pensioners as HC upholds Haryana govt’s decision

The full bench presided over by justice GS Sandhawalia also upheld the government decision of cut-off date of January 1, 2006, as per which the number of service years was brought down from 33 to 28 years for the grant of full pension under the 6th Pay Commission, notified in 2009

However, the court did not agree with the government’s decision of not giving benefits of reduced age from 33 years to 28 years for those who retired between January 2006 and April 2009. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 24, 2024 06:12 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Vehicles seized in drug cases can only be confiscated after trial: HC

The Punjab and Haryana high court has held that vehicles seized by enforcement agencies in drug cases can be confiscated only after the accused is proven guilty.

Chandigarh

Published on Jul 18, 2024 10:54 PM IST

BySurender Sharma

Punjab farmers’ protest: HC directs Haryana to open Shambhu border within week

When told that 400-450 farmers are at Ambala-Patiala district border, court ordered removal of barricades, saying security agencies can manage law and order. The court directed Punjab to cooperate with Haryana and asked farmer outfits to ensure no untoward incident takes place.

A farmer sitting in front of the barricades put up by the Haryana Police to prevent Punjab protesters from marching into the state en route to the national capital as a part of their Delhi Chalo march in February. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 10, 2024 01:56 PM IST

BySurender Sharma

Chandigarh admn blames improper parking, food joints for waterlogging at HC last year

Judicial work was affected and commuters remained stranded for hours in the area as roads leading to the HC and front portion of the court complex got waterlogged during heavy rain witnessed on November 30 morning

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 10, 2024 08:10 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Judges are not superhumans, can err, says Punjab and Haryana HC

The accused in hand had filed a plea in the high court seeking early disposal of the case with averments that a judicial magistrate is not inclined to pass an order but is only inclined to give adjournments and the respondent is being harassed.

Gavel and law books (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 04, 2024 09:42 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

₹28 crore compensation claimed on false affidavits, ex-Lt Gen’s kin in dock as HC orders CBI probe

The Punjab and Haryana high court has noted that the role of an AAP leader has not been investigated at all “despite him repeatedly approaching the authorities in support” of the accused.

The Punjab and Haryana high court has also questioned how a woman has been granted bail by the police in a non-bailable offence.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 04, 2024 08:22 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Create special cell to monitor waste disposal mgmt, HC tells Mohali MC

The high court bench of justice Sureshwar Thakur and justice Lalit Batra underlined that the effective functionality of installed bio-remediation plants was required to be regularly monitored

The court said the Mohali MC commissioner will monitor the cell’s work and in case some deficiency was reflected, will take remedial steps. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 26, 2024 08:30 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

No free security for VIPs with over ₹3 lakh monthly income

Those exempted are senior officers, ministers, MLAs, judges, recognised political parties’ heads and some protectees covered under the Punjab Police Security Policy, 2013

Payable amount not to exceed 25% of monthly income or 2.5% of assets’ value, whichever is higher

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 20, 2024 06:28 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Aadhaar card verification a must for sureties in courts: HC

Now, the authorities in the states and at the Centre have been told to put in place the requisite infrastructure within four months. The infrastructure for biometric verification of the Aadhaar Card at the court premises would be provided by the NIC, with the technical assistance of UIDAI, the court notes.

The courts have been told that while accepting surety, they would insist on complete details, including an Aadhaar card. The principal district judge and the chief judicial magistrates would inspect the register of sureties periodically, preferably after every three months.

Chandigarh

Updated on May 28, 2024 08:34 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

DGP to HC: Recommended new law against promoting gun culture

According to DGP Gaurav Yadav, the state authorities encounter various difficulties in removing content from the web as there is no authority vested by any law in the state government to ban any song, except issuing orders under section 144 of the CrPC and registration of an FIR for violation of the said order.

According to the affidavit submitted by the DGP to the Punjab and Haryana high court, the data reveals that till November 2022 there were 3,35,476 licences in the state with the highest in Moga (26,970), followed by Bathinda (25,045), Amritsar rural (24,784) and Patiala (23,598).

Chandigarh

Updated on May 21, 2024 05:12 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

HC orders continuation of secretariat pay for staff of 3 varsities

The Punjab government argued that the state bears the financial burden and has the right to stop the benefit of secretariat pay as university employees cannot be treated at par with the employees of the state civil secretariat.

The Punjab and Haryana high court has quashed instructions which the Punjab government issued five years ago.

Chandigarh

Updated on May 18, 2024 06:50 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Over 34,000 firearms licence issued in Punjab since 2019, Punjab govt tells HC

An affidavit filed by director general of police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav has revealed that out of these 32,303 licences were issued for self-defence.

The data has been given in proceedings of an anticipatory bail matter of a Fazilka resident, who was in court seeking bail in an alleged case of firing.

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 27, 2024 08:20 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Trespass, extortion charges: HC stays proceedings against DSP, seeks response from Punjab Police

The Punjab and Haryana high court has sought an affidavit from Fatehgarh Sahib senior superintendent of police (SSP) on findings recorded by the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) in a case involving a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), Ramandeep Singh

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 12, 2024 08:34 AM IST

BySurender Sharma

YPS blockade: State can’t let protesters use religion as shield, says HC

High court has given Punjab Police time till April 18 to clear YPS Chowk of protesters, who laid siege to the major traffic lifeline 460 days ago in January 2023

Posting the matter for April 18, the high court bench hoped that both UT and Punjab will “wake up from their slumber”. (HT FIle Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 12, 2024 08:26 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

HC dismisses plea from former Dera Sacha Sauda spokesperson against ED investigation

He is an accused in 2017 Panchkula violence and ED had registered Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against him on February 5, 2018, in connection with August 27, 2017 FIR into widespread violence reported in Panchkula, when Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted in two rape cases of female dera followers by the special CBI court Panchkula

The bench of justice Manjari Nehru Kaul observed that an ECIR cannot be kept at the same pedestal as an FIR. It is crucial to note that an ECIR is not registered under the CrPC, unlike an FIR, which is mandatorily registered under Section 154 of the CrPC (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 12, 2024 08:14 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Drugs seizure: Police theory under cloud, HC grants bail to bizman caught with 2.5 lakh banned tablets

Section 37 of the NDPS Act bars bail to the accused when the drug recovery is of commercial quantity. But the Supreme Court, while dealing with a case under Section 37 of the NDPS Act, laid down that before granting bail, the court has to have “reasonable grounds” for believing that the accused is not guilty of offence that he has been charged with and that he is unlikely to commit offence under the NDPS Act again while on bail. The

The Punjab and Haryana high court (HC) has granted bail to a Delhi-based businessman caught by the Fatehgarh Sahib police under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, after alleged recovery of 2.5 lakh banned tablets from his possession in the Capital in September last year. (Shutterstock)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 11, 2024 08:04 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Money laundering cases: High yardstick for granting bail must not be given the go-by: HC

The Punjab and Haryana high court has said that high yardstick for granting bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, must not be given a go-by, while refusing bail to a 74-year-old auditor, an accused in a money laundering scam worth ₹1,626 crore

Refusing bail to a 74-year-old auditor, an accused in a money laundering scam worth <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1,626 crore, the Punjab and Haryana high court has said that high yardstick for granting bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, must not be given a go-by. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/ Representational image)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 06, 2024 09:20 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Money laundering cases: Courts can order release of accused under police custody: HC

The Punjab and Haryana high court has made it clear that courts can order release of an accused of money laundering under police custody without fulfilling twin conditions as mandated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The PMLA under Section 45 mandates that before granting bail to an accused the public prosecutor has to be given an opportunity to oppose the application for such release and where the public prosecutor opposes the application, the court can allow bail if it is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the person is not guilty of such offence and that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/ Representational image)

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 28, 2024 07:54 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Examine whether PMLA probe required in illegal assets case against former EO, HC asks Punjab DGP

On October 12, 2022, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau had arrested former Zirakpur municipal council executive officer Girish Verma for allegedly amassing huge wealth than the disclosed sources of his income by misusing his official position

Punjab Vigilance Bureau had investigated the accused’s moveable and immoveable properties between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2021, and found that he spent <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>7.15 crore more than his income. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 23, 2024 09:26 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

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