Every day, important court rulings come out of the Supreme Court of India and the Punjab & Haryana High Court that affect ordinary people, families, and businesses across Punjab — even if most of us never hear about them. This short daily digest picks out the developments from the last day or two that are most likely to matter to you, explained in plain language, with links to the original sources.
Punjab & Haryana High Court Orders Immediate Release of Pending DA and DR to State Employees and Pensioners
The High Court has dismissed appeals filed by the Punjab government and the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), and directed that all pending Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) instalments be released to state employees and pensioners within two weeks. A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor also ruled that employees must be paid at rates on par with All India Service officers serving in Punjab, ordered 6% simple interest on any delay, and told the state to stop spending on large-scale advertising campaigns until the dues are cleared. This is significant for close to eight lakh Punjab government employees and pensioners, many of whom have been waiting a long time for these payments. Source: The Tribune
Bail Granted After Four Years in Custody in Satlok Ashram (UAPA) Case
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has granted regular bail to Sanjay @ Fauji, son-in-law of self-styled godman Rampal, in a case arising out of the 2014 Satlok Ashram violence in Barwala where over a hundred police personnel were injured. The Division Bench of Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj and Justice Deepak Manchanda noted that he had already spent over four years in custody, that the prosecution had examined all 49 material witnesses the court had earlier directed, and that his co-accused, including the main accused, were already out on bail. Cases involving stringent laws like the UAPA often see long pre-trial custody, and this order is a useful reminder that courts will still weigh the length of custody and trial progress when deciding bail. Anyone facing prolonged custody in a criminal matter, including under special or anti-terror laws, should get proper legal advice on their bail options — our bail and anticipatory bail team can help assess where a case stands. Source: LiveLaw
Supreme Court Fines Reliance Industries Rs 10 Lakh Over 20-Year-Old Commercial Dispute with NTPC
The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Reliance Industries Limited and imposed costs of Rs 10 lakh, criticising the company for repeatedly stalling a commercial suit filed by NTPC that dates back to 2005 and is still stuck at the evidence stage. A bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe was critical of RIL’s litigation strategy, observing that objections were being raised at every turn to delay the case. The dispute goes back to a 2004 gas-supply arrangement between the two companies. For businesses, the case is a reminder that courts are increasingly willing to penalise parties who use procedural tactics to drag out litigation rather than resolve disputes on merits. Source: LiveLaw
High Court Dismisses PIL Against Haryana Advocate General’s Elevation as Judge, Imposes Rs 1 Lakh Costs
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has rejected a public interest litigation that sought to block the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation to appoint Senior Advocate Pravindra Singh Chauhan, currently Advocate General of Haryana, as a High Court judge. The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor held that the petition appeared to be driven by personal grievance rather than genuine public interest, and imposed costs of Rs 1 lakh, payable to a patient welfare fund at PGIMER, Chandigarh. Courts routinely scrutinise PILs to ensure they are filed in good faith, and this order is a reminder that misusing the PIL route can carry real financial consequences for the petitioner. Source: Bar & Bench
If you or someone you know is dealing with a similar situation — a bail matter, a service or pension dispute, or a civil or constitutional matter before the Punjab & Haryana High Court — feel free to get in touch with our office for guidance specific to your case.
This digest is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Advocate Sukhdeep Singh Khaira & Associates, Patiala.