Punjab & Haryana HC Imposes ₹25k Cost On Advocate Alleging Corruption In Juvenile Justice Board’s Members Selection Process

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has imposed a cost of Rs 25000 on an Advocate who had alleged corruption in the selection process of members to the Juvenile Justice Board in Hisar.

The Court noted that the Petitioner-Advocate miserably failed to give material facts and details as to why and how persons holding reputable positions are corrupt.

The bench of Justice Jaishree Thakur was dealing with a plea challenging the appointment of a candidate who was selected as a Member of Juvenile Justice Board. The petitioner-advocate had alleged that the entire selection process was vitiated and that by resorting to underhand means the appointment was made.

The petitioner-advocate had further submitted that despite being duly qualified for the post of Member, Juvenile Justice Board, he was not appointed.

The petitioner said that he had qualified for the HCS (Judicial) examination in the year 1983 and appeared for interview in 1984 but was not selected due to corrupt political practices. He also alleged that there is large-scale corruption in the State of Haryana and 12 officers have been involved in embezzlement/scandal of several crores of rupees in MNREGA scheme, while further submitting that the Director-cum-Member Secretary Women & Child Development Haryana was also indicted by the Lokayukta.

The petitioner had appeared in person whereas AAG Narinder Singh Behgal appeared for the State.

The Court noted that it cannot go into the issue because the petitioner, had not impleaded Director-cum-Member Secretary Women & Child Development by name.

The Court also added that “A reading of the pleadings would show that the petitioner is trying to vent his grievance of not having been appointed after having passed the written examination as an HCS (Judicial) candidate but did not qualify after interview and thereafter, had raised allegations that there is rampant corruption in the State of Haryana.”

The Court held that the petition is nothing but tantamounting to defamation of persons, who are not before the Court.

The Court also noted that the petitioner sought damages for financial loss and mental torture, however, he could not establish that the person, who was appointed as a Member of the Juvenile Justice Board, Hisar was less qualified than him.

Thus the Court dismissed the petition with cost.

Cause Title- Pyare Lal Chauhan v. Govt. of Haryana and others

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