Punjab-Haryana water row: HC to decide whether a contempt notice is required to be issued

The Punjab and Haryana High Court Friday afternoon made it clear that the only issue before the Bench now was whether a contempt notice was required to be issued. The assertion came just about three days after the Punjab Government was directed to abide by the decision to release 4500 cusecs of extra water to Haryana and not interfere in the functioning of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). The matter was placed before the Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel again after the BBMC Chairman on Thursday claimed that the Punjab Police stopped him from releasing water to Haryana.

The proceedings that began around noon now stand adjourned to 4 pm for placing before the Bench an affidavit by the BBMB Chairman and the minutes of May 2 meeting held under Union Home Secretary’s chairmanship, where it was decided to release 4500 cusecs of extra water to Haryana over eight days to meet its urgent requirement.

The matter came up for hearing amidst no-work day call by the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association. At the onset, Chief Justice Nagu described the call as “unfortunate", saying the entire system would come to a grinding halt if the people were to sit at home and rest.

Chief Justice Nagu pointed out that “work from home" facility was available for enabling the lawyers to attend the proceeding through video-conferencing.

Senior advocate Rajesh Garg appearing for the BBMB responded to the court query on the situation at ground by saying that the Chairman could not even think of going back. He said the Chairman was not escorted but smoked out and the premises had been taken over by the police.

The Bench was hearing an application for directing the Punjab Government, its instrumentalities and officers to release the Chairman and officers from the illegal detention/custody. Directions were also sought for initiation of proceedings for wilful disobedience and obstruction in the compliance of the High Court order dated May 6. The application was moved through counsel R. Kartikeya and Ridhi Bansal. Additional Solicitor-General Satya Pal Jain appeared for the Centre.

Punjab