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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

Can’t infringe upon competent authority’s right to prematurely retire an employee: Punjab & Haryana HC

As per the Civil Services (Premature Retirement) Rules, 1975, the order should be passed by the appropriate authority, the authority must be of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so, the employee should be given prior notice in writing, the employee must have completed 25 years of qualifying service or attained 55 years of age and in the absence of three months’ notice, employee would be entitled to three months’ salary.

The bench of justice Jagmohan Bansal held that the appropriate authority may order to prematurely retire any officer if it is in the public interest. However, conditions, as spelt in the service rules, must be complied with. (Shutterstock)

Chandigarh

Published on May 02, 2025 08:46 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

FIR for evading court notices only if jurisdictional magistrate complains: HC

The high court bench of justice HS Brar quashed a criminal case for non-appearance before court, and order of declaring a person proclaimed offender by a Hisar court as it found procedural lapses in his case.

A criminal case can be registered against a person evading court notices only on the complaint of a jurisdictional magistrate, the Punjab and Haryana high court has held. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Published on May 01, 2025 05:28 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

HC for SOP to deal with gangster culture

The court was dealing with a plea from a Hisar resident, who had alleged that he and his nephew had been receiving threats from Rohit Godara, a gangster, affiliated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang through calls and letters. The petition said the gangster had made a demand of ₹2 crore, which was later increased to ₹5 crore, and threatened to kill the children of the petitioner.

The Punjab and Haryana high court has called for a standard operating procedure (SOP) to deal with complaints against gangsters. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 26, 2025 09:18 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

HC reprimands three Haryana ACB officers

The order was passed during the hearing of a bail petition filed by one Ashok Kumar, who was booked in an FIR in December 2024 under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other provisions, at ACB, Karnal.

The complaint was that some government officials had demanded a bribe of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>5,000 for preparing parole release orders. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 25, 2025 07:32 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

High court extends stay on arrest of Punjab Congress leader Bajwa till May 7

Police submitted probe status report to high court after leader of opposition booked for failing to establish source of recent claim that “50 grenades have been brought to Punjab, of which 18 have exploded and 32 remain active”.

The Punjab and Haryana high court on Tuesday extended the stay on the arrest of leader of opposition and Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa till May 7 on a plea seeking the quashing of the FIR for his ‘50 bombs’ claim. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 22, 2025 03:10 PM IST

BySurender Sharma

Punjab Congress leader Bajwa moves high court after FIR in ‘50 bombs’ claim

HC to take up plea on Wednesday. FIR was registered against leader of opposition in Mohali cyber police station on Sunday after he failed to establish source of his claim to a TV channel that 50 grenades had entered Punjab, of which 18 had exploded, while 32 remained active.

Leader of opposition and Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday moved the Punjab and Haryana high court seeking quashing of the FIR against him by the Mohali police on allegations of providing misleading information with the intention to disturb peace in the border state. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 15, 2025 12:35 PM IST

BySurender Sharma

HC sets May 5 deadline for Punjab to handover land for NHAI projects

On April 4, the court had summoned DCs and SSPs of all districts as it remained dissatisfied with the progress of land acquisition and handing it over to NHAI by the Punjab government.

NHAI filed a plea in Punjab and Haryana HC in August 2024 alleging delay in acquisition of land for projects in Punjab.

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 12, 2025 07:04 AM IST

BySurender Sharma

HC notice to Punjab on Sukhbir’s plea for CBI probe into bid on life

Shiromani Akali Dal leader says Punjab Police inquiry into attack by former militant Narain Singh Chaura on him outside Golden Temple in Amritsar on December 4 last year was “biased and marred by ulterior motives”. Chaura was recently granted bail.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal (in photo) had a narrow escape as the attacker, Narain Singh Chaura, a former militant, was overpowered by policemen in plainclothes at the Golden Temple entrance on December 4 last year. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 04, 2025 02:22 PM IST

BySurender Sharma

Assault on Col: HC hands over probe to UT police

The HC bench of justice HS Brar ordered that the Chandigarh director general of police (DGP) would entrust the probe to an IPS officer, posted in UT and belonging to the AGMUT cadre, within a week. The officer would complete the probe in four months and submit report to the court concerned, it added.

The Punjab and Haryana high court on Thursday transferred the investigation into the recent assault on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath, allegedly by 12 Punjab Police personnel in Patiala, to Chandigarh Police. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/ Representational image)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 04, 2025 08:26 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Murder, rape of minor daughter: HC commutes Amritsar man’s death sentence to life term

The convict, 35, committed the crime during the intervening night of January 4 and 5, 2020. He was booked under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and 6 of the POCSO Act on January 5 on the complaint of his wife.

The Punjab and Haryana high court has commuted the death sentence awarded to an Amritsar man to jail for life in the murder and rape case of his minor daughter. (Representational image)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 04, 2025 05:42 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Assault on Colonel: High court hands over probe to Chandigarh Police

Chandigarh DGP told to constitute a special investigation team within a week and the SIT would complete the probe in four months.

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 03, 2025 12:20 PM IST

BySurender Sharma

SC sets up fact-finding panel to probe Patiala MC poll ‘violations’

The Supreme Court bench of justice Surya Kant and justice NK Singh has appointed justice (retd) Nirmaljeet Kaur and asked her to take up the matter on day-to-day basis and submit a report at the earliest.

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 28, 2025 09:42 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

HC pulls up Punjab Police for delay in registering FIR on Colonel’s complaint

Acting on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath’s petition, high court gives Punjab government two days to provide details on who tried to delay the registration of the criminal case.

Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath is undergoing treatment at the Military Hospital in Patiala since the alleged assault in which he suffered a broken arm. Colonel Bath and his son were allegedly assaulted by 12 Punjab Police personnel over a parking dispute on the intervening night of March 13 and 14, when they were at a roadside eatery near Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 25, 2025 01:58 PM IST

BySurender Sharma

Punjab government defends farmers’ eviction in high court, cites violence intel

The affidavit filed by Patiala senior superintendent of police (SSP) Nanak Singh claimed these steps were not taken only upon receiving adverse inputs about the law and order situation but also taking into account that great hardships are being faced by commuters at both places.

Punjab Police uses bulldozers to remove temporary structures erected by farmers at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border where they were sitting on a protest over various demands. (ANI File)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 25, 2025 09:30 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

HC seeks data on youth employed through employment exchanges in Haryana

Besides, the chief secretary has been told to also give details of manpower and total funds spent by the state for running these employment exchanges.

“...prima facie it appears that employment exchange(s) have almost become non-functional for the desired purpose,” the bench of justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu observed while hearing an anticipatory bail plea from a person facing allegations of taking money for providing jobs. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 22, 2025 06:38 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Ensure no property registration sans NoC, high court tells Punjab

While acting on the public interest litigation filed by one Prem Prakash, a resident of Ludhiana, the court sought response from the state government by April 24 and further directed the authorities to ensure compliance with Section 20 (3) of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 1995

Section 20 bars the authority from registering the sale deed of any plot situated in an unauthorised colony. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 21, 2025 10:16 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

HC clears decks for shifting of grain market to Chandigarh’s Sector 39

Dismisses plea of Sector 26 grain market traders who are opposing Chandigarh administration’s shop auction process

The high court bench of justice Sureshwar Thakur and Vikas Suri dismissed the plea filed by Sabzimandi Aarhti Association, and 60 odd commission agents and traders. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 21, 2025 09:36 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Warrant officer can’t comment on legality of arrest: HC on arrest of music producer

Punjabi music producer Pushpinder Dhaliwal was arrested allegedly for cheating and exploiting Punjabi singer and actress Sunanda Sharma on March 9 by the Mohali police and had to be released on March 11 afternoon after the HC declared his arrest illegal

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 20, 2025 10:24 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

HC acquits man after police fail to prove pistol was in working condition

The high court bench of justice JS Bedi took note of the statement of a policeman who in his report had only referred to the examination of the trigger and in his cross-examination had categorically stated that he had not checked the “firing pin” nor mentioned anything in that regard in his report.

The Punjab and Haryana high court has acquitted a Faridkot man, 22 years after he was booked in an Arms Act case, as the court found that it could not be proved whether firearm was in working condition. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/ Representational image)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 18, 2025 08:12 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Consider charging nominal insurance amount at time of booking ticket: HC to Railways

The HC overturned the decision of the tribunal in which a family was denied claim in a 2017 mishap reported in Pathankot and has awarded ₹8 lakh compensation to the family with 9% annual interest from the date of the filing of the claim till disbursal of the same.

The Punjab and Haryana high court has advised the Railways to consider charging of a nominal amount as insurance premium at the time of booking of a railway ticket. (Shutterstock/ Representational image)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 16, 2025 05:52 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Punjab MP Amritpal Singh granted 54-day leave, Centre informs high court

After parliamentary panel approved leave, Lok Sabha secretariat informed jailed Khadoor Sahib MP that there is no threat to his membership.

Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, who is jailed in Assam’s Dibrugarh, has been granted 54 days’ leave of absence from the Lok Sabha. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 12, 2025 01:05 PM IST

BySurender Sharma

Need court’s complaint when forgery committed in its custody: HC

In the case in hand two persons were convicted for forgery of documents for getting a truck involved in an accident on superdari. However, the appellate court acquitted them on the premise that there was noncompliance of Section 195 CrPC in as much as only the court concerned could have filed a complaint and the FIR could not have been registered.

As per Section 195 of the CrPC, there is a bar against the court from taking cognizance of any offence under this section unless there is a written complaint by the public servant concerned. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 12, 2025 06:54 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: HC acquits man 25 years after he was nabbed with ‘misbranded bread’

The fresh training of the inspectors in 2003 from a duly appointed, approved laboratory endorses the fact that the earlier notification was illegally issued, underlined the court

The HC bench of justice NS Shekhawat upheld trial court order whereby the man accused of carrying “misbranded bread” in his vehicle for public sale was acquitted. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 11, 2025 11:19 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Asking lawyers not to appear against Bar body members unethical: High court

The Punjab and Haryana high court has ordered transfer of around 20 cases from Bathinda to Patiala district as a petitioner flagged that Phul Bar Association members were not representing him in Phul

A high court bench has ordered transfer of around 20 cases outside Bathinda. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 09, 2025 08:32 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Centre orders probe into allegations against director of IIM Rohtak

An order passed in this regard by the ministry of education on March 5 was produced before the Punjab and Haryana high court (HC) on Friday by the additional solicitor general Satya Pal Jain

The order issued on March 5 reads that an inquiry conducted by principal chief controller of accounts, ministry of education found “serious irregularities and grave misappropriation of public funds at the institute”. (iStock)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 08, 2025 07:46 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Punjab: Give list of cases where probe is pending for over 3 yrs: HC to DGP

The development comes in the wake of revelations that the investigation in 1,338 FIRs is pending for the last more than three years and thousands of accused have not been arrested in Amritsar district alone

The Punjab and Haryana high court (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 06, 2025 08:12 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Punjab & Haryana HC refuses to recall its order on paver blocks in green belt

The order comes at a time when a section of residents are protesting against the demolition of a wall at the iconic Rock Garden, which is also being done to ease traffic movement in the HC area. The wall demolition was planned after HC orders on taking steps to improve mobility in the area. Both the orders were passed in the same proceedings.

Order comes at a time when a section of residents are protesting the demolition of a wall at the iconic Rock Garden which is also being done to ease traffic movement in the HC area. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 25, 2025 09:38 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

HC upholds Chandigarh admn’s decision to ban floor-wise sale of houses across city

HC dismissed pleas seeking quashing of Chandigarh administration’s 2023 notification banning conversion of houses into floor-wise apartments across the city

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 23, 2025 08:44 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

HC upholds changes in Punjab sports quota criteria for MBBS admissions

In the case at hand, an MBBS course aspirant Ibadat Sekhon had challenged the decision of the government to make changes in sports quota admissions criteria effected on August 1, 2023.

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 21, 2025 09:30 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

Ayushman Bharat scheme: Punjab to clear pending dues by March 21

A government counsel told the HC bench of justice Kuldeep Tiwari, on instructions from the state’s principle secretary (finance), that they will clear all the outstanding dues of private hospitals by March 21. However, the government sought liberty from the court to further raise claim regarding contribution to the Central government.

Punjab government has told Punjab and Haryana high court (HC) that it would clear all the pending dues of private hospitals till December 2024 incurred under Ayushman Bharat scheme by March 21. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Feb 19, 2025 08:54 AM IST

BySurender Sharma, Chandigarh

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Surender Sharma

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

The high court bench of justice HS Brar quashed a criminal case for non-appearance before court, and order of declaring a person proclaimed offender by a Hisar court as it found procedural lapses in his case.

The order was passed during the hearing of a bail petition filed by one Ashok Kumar, who was booked in an FIR in December 2024 under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other provisions, at ACB, Karnal.

Police submitted probe status report to high court after leader of opposition booked for failing to establish source of recent claim that “50 grenades have been brought to Punjab, of which 18 have exploded and 32 remain active”.

HC to take up plea on Wednesday. FIR was registered against leader of opposition in Mohali cyber police station on Sunday after he failed to establish source of his claim to a TV channel that 50 grenades had entered Punjab, of which 18 had exploded, while 32 remained active.

On April 4, the court had summoned DCs and SSPs of all districts as it remained dissatisfied with the progress of land acquisition and handing it over to NHAI by the Punjab government.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader says Punjab Police inquiry into attack by former militant Narain Singh Chaura on him outside Golden Temple in Amritsar on December 4 last year was “biased and marred by ulterior motives”. Chaura was recently granted bail.

The convict, 35, committed the crime during the intervening night of January 4 and 5, 2020. He was booked under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and 6 of the POCSO Act on January 5 on the complaint of his wife.

Chandigarh DGP told to constitute a special investigation team within a week and the SIT would complete the probe in four months.

The Supreme Court bench of justice Surya Kant and justice NK Singh has appointed justice (retd) Nirmaljeet Kaur and asked her to take up the matter on day-to-day basis and submit a report at the earliest.

Acting on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath’s petition, high court gives Punjab government two days to provide details on who tried to delay the registration of the criminal case.

The affidavit filed by Patiala senior superintendent of police (SSP) Nanak Singh claimed these steps were not taken only upon receiving adverse inputs about the law and order situation but also taking into account that great hardships are being faced by commuters at both places.

Besides, the chief secretary has been told to also give details of manpower and total funds spent by the state for running these employment exchanges.

While acting on the public interest litigation filed by one Prem Prakash, a resident of Ludhiana, the court sought response from the state government by April 24 and further directed the authorities to ensure compliance with Section 20 (3) of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 1995

Dismisses plea of Sector 26 grain market traders who are opposing Chandigarh administration’s shop auction process

Punjabi music producer Pushpinder Dhaliwal was arrested allegedly for cheating and exploiting Punjabi singer and actress Sunanda Sharma on March 9 by the Mohali police and had to be released on March 11 afternoon after the HC declared his arrest illegal

The HC overturned the decision of the tribunal in which a family was denied claim in a 2017 mishap reported in Pathankot and has awarded ₹8 lakh compensation to the family with 9% annual interest from the date of the filing of the claim till disbursal of the same.

After parliamentary panel approved leave, Lok Sabha secretariat informed jailed Khadoor Sahib MP that there is no threat to his membership.

The fresh training of the inspectors in 2003 from a duly appointed, approved laboratory endorses the fact that the earlier notification was illegally issued, underlined the court

The Punjab and Haryana high court has ordered transfer of around 20 cases from Bathinda to Patiala district as a petitioner flagged that Phul Bar Association members were not representing him in Phul

An order passed in this regard by the ministry of education on March 5 was produced before the Punjab and Haryana high court (HC) on Friday by the additional solicitor general Satya Pal Jain

The development comes in the wake of revelations that the investigation in 1,338 FIRs is pending for the last more than three years and thousands of accused have not been arrested in Amritsar district alone

HC dismissed pleas seeking quashing of Chandigarh administration’s 2023 notification banning conversion of houses into floor-wise apartments across the city

In the case at hand, an MBBS course aspirant Ibadat Sekhon had challenged the decision of the government to make changes in sports quota admissions criteria effected on August 1, 2023.

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