High Court adjourns Panjab University petition till July 8

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 13

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The Punjab and Haryana High Court has adjourned the hearing on a petition filed by Panjab University and another petitioner, stating that it was not possible to hold the Senate election on May 19 because of the pandemic, till July.

“The matter is being adjourned to July 8 to reassess the situation at that time,” the Bench of Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Archana Puri asserted. Appearing before the Bench, Additional Solicitor-General of India Satya Pal Jain referred to the notification dated April 16, whereby the schedule for holding the election was set up for April 26. The notification was revised vide another notification dated April 24 and election to the Senate was rescheduled for May 19.

However, the notification dated April 19 issued by the Punjab Government barred gathering of more than 20 people in any event. He further stated there were 3,75,500 voters spread over six states. In view of the present situation arising due to Covid-19, it was not possible to hold the election on the date fixed.

Appearing before the Bench on behalf of Keshav Malhotra and other respondents, senior advocate RS Cheema stated he was unable to dispute the fact regarding the prevailing pandemic situation.

Acting on a petition filed by Prof Keshav Malhotra and others through senior counsel Cheema and advocate R Kartikeya, Justice Fateh Deep Singh had earlier ruled that the orders putting off indefinitely Senate-2020 elections were passed to usurp its powers.

“The respondent, being the Vice-Chancellor, to usurp the powers of the Senate appears to have chosen a way out and in this scheme has managed to pass orders, thereby putting off the Senate elections, 2020, indefinitely…,” Justice Fateh Deep Singh had asserted.

The Bench had added that the election process was required to be held at the earliest to prevent autocratic governance in the university, affecting its democratic functioning “which could be a scar on its reputation, being one of the oldest and prestigious universities of this country and internationally acknowledged as well”.