Patiala SSP viral audio: HC seeks clarity from EC on probe ahead of Zila Parishad, Samiti elections
PTC Web Desk: Just six days before Punjab goes to the polls for the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday directed the State Election Commission to clarify its position on an inquiry being handled by an ADGP-rank officer into a viral conference-call audio clip of the Patiala SSP.
A Division Bench led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu was hearing petitions filed by SAD leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema along with other PIL petitioners. The petitions claim that the circulating audio clip suggests instructions to “confine political opponents to their homes or on their routes, follow directions of local MLAs, protect ruling AAP supporters through favourable reports, and push returning officers to reject nominations,” allegedly to secure uncontested victories and breach the Model Code of Conduct.
During the hearing, counsel representing the Punjab State Election Commission informed the court that ADGP SPS Parmar had been assigned to investigate the matter and that the Commission was still awaiting the inquiry report. Taking note of this, the Bench adjourned proceedings to allow the Commission time, until Wednesday, to present a clear stance.
Meanwhile, counsel for the State of Punjab stated that the original device used for recording the audio was essential for an accurate forensic analysis. The PIL petitioners, however, argued that a forensic examination could be carried out based on the existing materials and requested that the task be assigned to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Chandigarh instead of Punjab.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court did not issue any directions regarding forensic examination for now and deferred the matter to the day after tomorrow.
- PTC NEWS
