Municipal polls deferred in 15 wards of Patiala, Dharamkot amidst allegations of police inaction, tampering

Municipal elections will be held later in seven wards of Patiala and eight of Dharamkot. The state of Punjab on Friday informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the schedule for municipal elections would be reissued in areas where complaints have been received.

Justice Harkesh Manuja of the high court also took note of the state’s stand of initiating action against the erring police official. “It has also been assured by Advocate-General, Punjab, that proceedings in accordance with law shall be initiated against the erring officials/private individuals, those who are visible in the videos appended by the petitioners, along with the present contempt petitions, at the earliest. The developments took place during the hearing of petitions alleging, among other things, the tearing of nomination papers of candidates, including women, during the nomination process for Patiala municipal elections.”

Appearing before the Bench, Advocate-General Gurminder Singh submitted that decision has been taken by the state to defer the elections pertaining ward number 1, 32, 33, 36, 41, 48 and 50 in Patiala and ward number 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 13 in Dharamkot municipal council in Moga district. The Election Commission would issue new schedules for these wards.

The petitioners before the court had initially moved the court on December 12 seeking directions to ensure videography of the election process and maintenance of law and order. Among other things, they had brought to the Bench’s notice issues concerning the alleged tampering with nomination papers and the failure of police to maintain order during the filing process. The directions initially issued in the matter included ensuring the presence of law enforcement agency and videography during the filing of nominations.

The petitioners on December 16 filed a contempt petition placing before the Bench video-clips showing police officers allegedly failing to prevent the tearing of nomination papers by certain individuals. Gurminder Singh, during the course of hearing, submitted that an FIR had been lodged in response to the incident.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the police’s handling of the situation, Justice Manuja asserted, “Police officers stood like statues while nomination papers were torn and snatched.” The court also instructed that police officers involved in the incident be identified by name.