Punjab and Haryana High Court raps Fazilka SSP, seeks explanation

Saurabh Malik 

Chandigarh, July 18

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has rapped IPS officer Pragya Jain for acting in a “callous manner” and committing contempt of court before seeking her explanation on alleged irregularities in an affidavit submitted on her behalf.

She has been asked to appear before the Bench to explain “why the affidavit was not got attested by her” in accordance with law and submitted in advance.

“An IPS officer in a disciplined force at Fazilka with the designation of SSP is expected to be strict and adhering to the procedure of law, but has taken the cause in such a callous manner which has shaken the conscience of this court,” Justice Sandeep Moudgil of the high court asserted.

The officer on high court’s directions had furnished the affidavit on the genuineness of a marriage certificate and other issues during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition filed against the State of Punjab and other respondents for a woman’s release from illegal detention.

As the matter came up for resumed hearing, Justice Moudgil took note of the submission that the woman was staying happily with a relative following interaction between her and the family on the court’s initiative.

A notary public in compliance with Justice Moudgil’s earlier order also appeared before the Bench during the hearing and admitted that Jain did not turn up in person. The affidavit was brought to him by ASI Gurmeet Singh, who identified the deponent’s signatures.

Justice Moudgil also observed that the deponent’s signatures were also not available in the Notary Public’s register.

“It is on that account as well the deponent has committed a serious act of criminal contempt of this Court by filing an affidavit without following due process of law,” Justice Moudgil asserted.

Before parting with the order, Justice Moudgil also directed the Notary Public to file his affidavit, explaining the position.

He has also been asked to explain the procedure expected to be followed for carrying out the attestation of the affidavits by public officers/officials asked to file the document in the court. The case will now come up for further hearing in July last week.