Overview
- Justice Harpreet Singh Brar stayed the Superintending Engineer’s October 13 communication implementing the District Grievance Committee’s directions and any consequent coercive steps.
- The court said the Kaithal District Grievance Committee, chaired by Energy Minister Anil Vij, is a non‑statutory forum with no power to order suspensions or direct registration of an FIR.
- Only the UHBVN managing director is competent to initiate disciplinary proceedings under the service rules framed pursuant to Article 309.
- The state noted a subsequent suspension order dated October 24 by the competent authority, which the court observed appeared motivated by the minister’s declaration and lacking independent application of mind.
- The petition arose from a bribery complaint tied to a disputed permanent power connection, with the SDO asserting the applicant was ineligible and had refused a required safety undertaking; the case is listed for further hearing on April 21, with responses sought from the state and the minister.