New Delhi, August 30
Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala’s estranged brother, Mr Pratap Singh Chautala, today filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the initiation of contempt proceedings against the Centre and the Punjab Government for not implementing its order in the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal case.
Seeking direction to the Centre and Punjab to construct the canal after the latter’s review petition was also rejected by the Supreme Court, Mr Pratap Singh said as per the January 15, 2002, and June 4, 2004, judgements, the two respondents were bound to implement the court’s directives.
“The binding directions given by the court have to be given effect by the government, its instruments and agencies as maintenance of the dignity of the apex court is one of the cardinal principles of the rule of the law in a democratic set-up,” the petition said.
Seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the Union Home Secretary and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Mr Pratap Singh said: “A law of contempt has been enacted to secure public respect and confidence in the judicial process.”
“If such confidence is shaken or broken, the confidence of the common man in the judiciary and the democratic set-up is likely to be eroded, which, if not checked, is assured to be disastrous for society,” he contended.
