Punjab LoP Bajwa moves HC against SC commission notice, calls it unconstitutional
Bajwa has contended that the impugned notice was illegal, arbitrary, unconstitutional, and violative of Articles 14, 1,9 and 21 of the Constitution
Punjab Leader of Opposition (LoP) Partap Singh Bajwa has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the chairman of Punjab State Scheduled Caste Commission, the state of Punjab, and other respondents, challenging the commission’s notice dated February 9 issued under the provisions of the Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes Act.
Among other things, Bajwa has contended that the impugned notice was illegal, arbitrary, unconstitutional, and violative of Articles 14, 1,9 and 21 of the Constitution.
He has submitted that the phrase attributed to him, on the face of it, did not indicate any caste-related content. According to the plea, the expression did not depict any association with any Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe community.
Bajwa has further asserted that the Commission’s interpretation of the phrase in favour of respondent Harbhajan Singh ETO — a prominent Aam Aadmi Party leader serving as a Cabinet Minister — clearly reflected a favourable attitude and biased conduct.
The petition also referred to a press conference allegedly held by the Commission in support of the Cabinet Minister, claiming that such conduct further established bias. The matter is expected to come up for hearing on February 16. Senior Advocate Pradeep Virk is likely to argue the case on Bajwa’s behalf.
