HC directs speedy vigilance probe into 'Kheda Vatan Punjab’ event held at Faridkot

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed Punjab government to expedite the inquiry into allegations of financial misappropriation linked to the ‘Kheda Vatan Punjab’ event at Faridkot’s Nehru Stadium.

Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj of the high court issued the directive while disposing of a petition filed by Kuldeep Singh Atwal. He was, among other things, seeking criminal action and FIR registration on allegations of alleged embezzlement amounting to “crores of rupees”.

In his detailed order, Justice Bhardwaj asserted the petitioner was seeking directions to the State of Punjab and other respondents to initiate criminal proceedings and to register the FIR for “embezzlement to the tune of lakhs of rupees in the name of ‘Kheda Vatan Punjab Faridkot-2023’ and embezzlement of crores of rupees at Nehru Stadium, Faridkot.”

Justice Bhardwaj also took note of the petitioner’s submissions that his complaints were “suppressed in collusion with the officers, he was subjected to defamation, and the inquiry was obstructed in an illegal manner”. The court further noticed that the petitioner was praying for measures to protect his life and liberty.

Justice Bhardwaj’s Bench, during the course of proceedings, was informed by Senior Deputy Advocate-General Tarun Aggarwal on State of Punjab’s behalf that an inquiry into the matter had already been “marked to the Vigilance, Ferozepur, on October 29” and that it would be “concluded expeditiously in accordance with law.”

Taking a note of the submission, Justice Bhardwaj stated, “In view of the statement made by State counsel, the present petition is disposed of with a direction to respondents/State to conclude the inquiry, as submitted before this Court, expeditiously in accordance with law.”

Addressing the petitioner’s concerns before parting with the order, Justice Bhardwaj directed the State authorities to consider his apprehensions seriously. “Respondents/State is directed to take into consideration the contentions raised by counsel for the petitioner and on assessment of the same, if need arises, take appropriate action to ensure the protection of life and liberty of the petitioner,” he stated.