HC stays coercive steps against docs over attendance on Geofencing app

Acting on a petition filed by Haryana Civil Medical Services Association and other petitioners, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has restrained the State of Haryana from taking coercive steps against them over compulsory attendance through the newly introduced Geofencing app.

Justice Sandeep Moudgil of the High Court passed the interim order while hearing the petition seeking the quashing of the May 30 letter directing the employees of the Department of Health and Family Welfare to download the Geofencing app to mark their attendance, along with existing biometric attendance.

Directions were also sought to further prohibit the respondents to force department employees to buy a “smartphone and then, download the app to mark their attendance as also to prohibit the respondents from rejecting the benefits of the employees like casual leave, child care leave etc. on the pretext of non-marking the attendance through Geofencing app”.

Appearing before Justice Moudgil’s Bench after being served with the petition’s advance copy, Deputy Advocate-General Mayuri Lakhanpal Kalia sought time to file reply. “State counsel is directed to file reply with an advance copy to opposite counsel at least seven days before the date fixed. Adjourned to January 15, 2026. No coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioners till the next date of hearing,” the Bench concluded.