Fraud Not Proved: P&H High Court Dismisses Husband's Plea To Annul Marriage Over Alleged Concealment Of Pre-Marital Affair By Wife

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a husband's plea seeking annulment of his marriage on the ground that his wife had allegedly concealed a pre-marital affair. It was the husband's case that, prior to their marriage, during a separate meeting, he had categorically asked the wife whether she was in a relationship, to which she had denied. However, after their marriage, a video...

Statement Of Person Summoned By GST Authority Must Be Recorded In Presence Of Counsel Within Office Hours; Can Ask For CCTV Recording: P&H HC

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has reiterated that the statement of a person summoned by the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) officials must be recorded during official working hours and in the presence of their counsel. The Court also observed that the summoned person has the right to request CCTV footage of the proceedings.The developments comes in case...

[S.37 NDPS Act] When Is Accused 'Not Likely To Commit Offence'? P&H High Court Explains Pre-Requisite For Granting Bail

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has explained the pre-requisite of granting bail under NDPS Act in case of commercial quantity wherein one of the conditions is that the accused is "not likely to commit any offence while on bail."Section 37 states that bail should not be granted to an accused in case of commercial quantity unless the accused is able to satisfy twin conditions i.e....

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Withdraws From P&H High Court Plea For Suspension Of Sentence In Rape Case

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim on Tuesday withdrew from the Punjab and Haryana High Court his application seeking suspension of sentence in the 2017 rape case.The self-styled godman was convicted by the Special CBI Court, Panchkula in 2017 under Sections 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of twenty years for...

'Judicial Indiscipline': P&H High Court Orders Probe Into Trial Judge Who Granted Interim & Absolute Pre-Arrest Bail In Same Case On Same Day

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has flagged an instance of "judicial indiscipline" after an Additional Sessions Judge passed two distinct orders in the same case on the same day. Suggesting "thorough investigation", the Court has directed the Registrar General to put the file before the concerned Administrative judge.The Additional Session Judge of Faridabad in a forgery case first...

P&H High Court Issues Contempt Notice To Advocate Who Suggested Taking Judges To Supreme Court Over Alleged Delay In Her Case

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has issued contempt notice against an advocate appearing in person, who made scandalous remarks against sitting High Court judges and a Trial Court judge.The petitioner wrote in her petition that Judges must comply with the provisions of SC/ST Act and pre-pone her case listed in October or she will file a case against them in the Supreme Court.Justice...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Asks Union To Prioritise SOP On Redressal Mechanism Against Freezing Of Bank Accounts

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked Union Government to prioritise framing of Standard Operating System (SOP) to address the grievances of those whose banks accounts are seized, pursuant to alleged criminal activities.Justice Kuldeep Tiwari while hearing a batch of petitions wherein freezing of accounts were challenged said, "its is expected that considering the difficulties, as...

Embezzlement Of Funds In Bank Is Serious, Termination Justified: Punjab & Haryana HC

The Punjab & Haryana High Court bench comprising Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi held that judicial review in disciplinary matters is limited to examining whether the findings are perverse, arbitrary, or based on no evidence, and courts cannot re-appreciate evidence or act as appellate authorities. Additionally, interference with the quantum of punishment is permissible only if it...

Don't Need Sanction To Prosecute Private Person: ED Opposes M3M Director's Plea To Quash FIR In Trial Judge Bribery Case

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday opposed before the Punjab & Haryana High Court the petition filed by M3M Director Roop Bansal, seeking to quash a criminal case launched against him for conspiring to bribe a trial court judge, citing lack of sanction to prosecute under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.Bansal is accused under Sections 7,8,11,13 of the Prevention...

Stamp Duty Determined Based On Market Rate At Time Of Execution Of Sale Deed, Not When Agreement To Sell Was Executed: P&H High Court

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has clarified that for the purpose of determining the stamp duty payable on a sale deed, it is the market value of the property at the time of execution of the sale deed—and not the agreement to sell—which is relevant. Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Rohit Kapoor said, "For the purpose of determining the amount of stamp duty on conveyance deed/...

Human Trafficking Prevalent In Weaker Sections Of Society: P&H High Court Denies Bail To Woman Booked For Forcing Minor Into Sexual Exploitation

Suspecting child trafficking networks, "which now-a days are actively prevalent in the weaker sections of the society", the Punjab & Haryana High Court refused to grant regular bail to a woman accused of giving minor child to men for committing sexual assault.Justice Namit Kumar noted, "there is sufficient and ample documentary evidence against the petitioner, indicating her involvement...

High Court Imposes ₹1 Lakh Cost On Punjab Govt For Violating Service Rule, Defending It By Filing Lengthy Affidavit

In a stern rebuke to the Punjab Government, the High Court observed that the State had misused the judicial process by blatantly violating service rules and attempting to justify its actions through a lengthy affidavit. Taking strong exception to the conduct, the Court imposed a cost of ₹1 lakh on the government.The Punjab Government authorities issued a chargesheet against a Public...