Punjab and Haryana HC warns that ₹50,000 will be spent on officer if direction to start municipal elections in Punjab is not implemented within 10 days

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has warned of legal costs of Rs 50,000 if the direction to initiate the election process by notifying election programs in all municipalities and municipal corporations of Punjab is not complied with.

October 14 court published directing the Punjab State Election Commission and the Government of Punjab to begin the process of holding municipal elections within 15 days of their holding without any new delimitation exercise.

42 municipal councils and nagar panchayats are awaiting elections. Some municipalities have not held elections for four years.

Judge Harkesh Manuja While listening to the statement of contempt of court, he remarked: “Considering the fact that the referral for consideration of the applicant’s claim was issued on October 14, 2024, the deadline has passed more than 22 days. In case the compliance report is not filed within the above stipulated period (10 days), the concerned officer will appear before the court through video conference and will reimburse the complainant with legal costs of Rs.50,000/- from his own funds. pocket“

The court issued notice of the contempt plea and noted that the government counsel had requested 10 days to file the compliance report.

The contempt petition alleged that the State had willfully ignored the High Court’s directions to commence elections within the prescribed time, which amounted to contempt of court.

The Division Bench, while issuing the orders, stated that “the constitutional mandate requires that elections for the formation of a municipality be held before the expiration of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution in accordance with Article 243U(3)(b). “

The case has been listed for further hearing on November 21.

Advocates Bhisham Kinger, Angrej Singh and Sukhcharan Singh Gill, counsel for the applicant.

Title: BINT KUMAR, Alias ​​BINT KINGER VS RAJA KAMAL CHAUDHURY AND OTHERS

Click here to read/download the order