Developer gets another chance to give property info
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted last opportunity to Jarnail Singh Bajwa’s counsel to respond to a show-cause notice as to why criminal contempt proceedings should not be initiated against the developer and provide details of his movable and immovable properties.
As the matter came up for a resumed hearing before Justice Sandeep Moudgil’s Bench, a senior advocate prayed for grant of additional time on Bajwa’s behalf to file a reply to the show-cause notice and also to provide the details of properties.
Taking note of the submissions, Justice Moudgil asserted the senior counsel was undertaking to provide the list of properties as directed by the High Court on earlier two occasions – August 28 and 30. He was also undertaking to file a reply to the show-cause notice on contempt proceedings. This was the third time a request was made for further time to comply with the orders.
“Last opportunity is granted to do the needful, which is being delayed, forcing the court to observe that prima facie it seems a deliberate and intentional attempt to subvert the proceedings and to derail the judicial process,” Justice Moudgil asserted in his detailed order.
Justice Moudgil, during the course of proceedings, was apprised by counsel for the petitioner that the Supreme Court had dismissed an SLP, whereby interim orders passed by the High Court during the course of proceedings were challenged.
The counsel also told the Bench that Bajwa and two other respondents were involved in multiple cases entailing similar offences wherein the matter was pending before the district/state consumer disputes redressal forums. “The details of same shall also be provided by the respondent on the next date of hearing,” the court asserted.
The directions came on a petition filed by Kuldeepak Mittal against the State of Punjab and other respondents. Among other things, the petitioner contended the bail granted to Jarnail Singh was cancelled by the High Court vide order dated October 20, 2023. But action to arrest him had so far not been initiated.
His counsel contended the reasons behind inaction on the part of official respondents, particularly the Mohali SSP and the Kharar SHO, was that Jarnail Singh was a well-known developer.
Last opportunity to Bajwa
“Last opportunity is granted to do the needful, which is being delayed, forcing the court to observe that prima facie it seems a deliberate and intentional attempt to subvert the proceedings and to derail the judicial process,” Justice Moudgil asserted.
