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4mo ago

Punjab-Haryana High Court Rebukes Poll Panel, Orders Non-Partisan Policing for Rural Elections

Judges signaled the need for independent vetting of a viral clip to ensure confidence in the December 14 vote.

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During the hearing, the SEC told the court that the SSP has proceeded on leave till the culmination of the poll process and an additional charge has been given to Sangrur SSP Sartaj Chahal.
Patiala senior superintendent of police (SSP) Varun Sharma has proceeded on a week-long leave amid the controversy involving a viral audio clip and ahead of a Punjab and Haryana high court hearing on Wednesday. (X)

Overview

  • The court directed the State Election Commission to immediately instruct all SHOs and police on election duty to conduct themselves in a non-partisan manner.
  • Patiala SSP Varun Sharma is on leave for the election period, with Sangrur SSP Sartaj Singh Chahal given additional charge of Patiala.
  • The bench said verification of the audio should be handled by a neutral agency and faulted the commission for the appearance of favoritism, as petitioners press for CFSL Chandigarh testing and the state cites a Mohali lab review.
  • PILs by Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa and SAD’s Daljit Singh Cheema allege opposition candidates were blocked from filing nominations and seek to keep named officers off poll duty.
  • Voting is scheduled for December 14 with counting on December 17, the matter is listed next for December 22, and police say the clip circulating online is AI-generated.