HC gives Patiala DC chance to explain non-compliance of videography order

Taking note of the apparent non-compliance of its orders on videography during the recently concluded panchayat elections, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked Patiala Deputy Commissioner to joint proceedings “for affording her an opportunity to explain the circumstances”.

Justice Harkesh Manuja of the high court also ordered Punjab State Election Commissioner Raj Kumar Chaudhary to be impleaded as party-respondent to the petition while hearing a plea.

The developments took place during the hearing of a petition filed by Komalpreet Kaur against IAS officer and Patiala DC Preeti Yadav and another respondent.

As the matter came up for hearing, a compliance report, by way of an

affidavit by Yadav, was placed before Justice Manuja’s Bench.

Among other things, it specifically said videography of two booths at Dakala village in Patiala district was carried out. A pen drive was also appended along with the report.

Justice Manuja, in his order, asserted that Haryana Deputy Advocate-General Shivendra Swaroop, asked by the court to go through the pen drive, informed the Bench that it did not contain the recording in continuity from 9 am to 5 pm and that the recording consisted of more than 250 small clips with no continuity in terms of time or visuals.

“In such circumstances, apparently it seems that the order has not been complied with, as such before proceeding further, let Patiala DC join proceedings…,” the Bench asserted. The case will now come up for further hearing on December 5.