Taranjit Singh And Others v. State Of Punjab And Others
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT
CHANDIGARH CWP-7832-2026 (O&M) Decided on : 13.03.2026 TARANJIT SINGH AND OTHERS
...Petitioners
Versus
STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS . . . Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARSIMRAN SINGH SETHI HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIKAS SURI PRESENT: Mr. Varinder Basa, Advocate for Mr. Bikramjit Singh Randhawa, Advocate the petitioners. Mr. Rahul Rampal, Additional Advocate General, Punjab. **** HARSIMRAN SINGH SETHI , J. (Oral) 1.
The present petition has been filed by the petitioners seeking issuance of directions to the official respondents to ensure free, fair, democratic, transparent elections for the post of Chairman and Vice Chairman of Panchayat Samiti Dera Baba Nanak, District Gurdaspur, which are scheduled to be held on 17.03.2026 .
2.
Learned counsel for the petitioners prays that the election proceedings be videographed so that free and fair elections for the posts of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Panchayat Samiti, Dera Baba Nanak are ensured and transparency is maintained.
3.
Learned counsel for the petitioners further prays that the elections to the posts of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Panchayat Samiti, Dera Baba Nanak be conducted through a system of secret ballot papers and the same be held in a neutral administrative location i.e. the office of the Deputy Commissioner instead of the office of the SDM, so that the elections
are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner. Learned counsel for the petitioners further submits that though the elections are scheduled to be held in four days from today and the police have already started visiting the houses of members who are to cast their votes, in order to pressurize and intimidate the public, therefore, adequate security be provided to them till the date of election, so that they may cast their vote on their own will rather than being forced by anyone.
4.
Notice of motion.
5.
Mr. Rahul Rampal, Additional Advocate General, Punjab appears and accepts notice on behalf of the respondent-State. 6.
Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent-State submits that the endeavour of the State is to protect the will of the people as well as the elected members of the Panchayat Samiti, and they will be given due opportunity to express their will while casting vote to the posts of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Panchayat Samiti, Dera Baba Nanak in the elections scheduled to be held on 17.03.2026, which will not be postponed unless the required quorum is not completed.
7.
Learned counsel for the respondent-State further submits that in case, the petitioner is ready to bear the cost of the videography of election process, the Video recording of the election process will be done to show that the State has nothing to hide and that every member is given a fair opportunity to cast his/her vote to elect the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Panchayat Samiti, Dera Baba Nanak.
8.
Learned counsel for the respondent-State further submits that no member shall be estopped from casting his or her vote in any manner on the scheduled day. It is further submitted that if any apprehension is raised
before the Deputy Commissioner prior to the elections, the same shall be addressed in the manner required, and that too prior to the holding of the elections, i.e., before 17.03.2026.
9.
We have heard learned counsel for the parties and have gone through the case file with their able assistance. 10.
Keeping in view the very fair stand taken by the State, it is directed that the elections for electing the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Panchayat Samiti Dera Baba Nanak to be held on 17.03.2026, the same will be videographed at the cost of the petitioner to ensure that it is conducted in free and fair manner.
11.
Further, the said elections will be undertaken based upon the secrete ballot papers and no member will be restrained in any manner from participating in the election process. Even if, any member is required in any case, or is in police/judicial custody then also the said member will be allowed to cast his/her vote on the election day and they will remain in such custody. It is further directed that after the casting of the vote by any member who is in the police/judicial custody, he/she will remain in such custody and will be taken back to the place from where they were brought from for the purpose of casting their votes. 12.
As an apprehension has been raised by learned counsel for the petitioners with regard to the holding of the election in the office of the SDM as the neutral adminstrative venue, and as the State has already assured this Court that the elections will be conducted in a free and fair manner, as a matter of precaution and to avoid any suspicion, it would be in the interest of justice that the election scheduled for 17.03.2026 be conducted in the presence of the concerned Deputy Commissioner as prayed for by the
petitioners .
13.
The present petition is disposed of in above terms. 14.
It may be noticed that this order, will be good enough to allow such persons who are in police/judicial custody to cast their vote and any authority including the jail authority shall be bound by the said order. 15.
Pending civil miscellaneous application(s), if any, stand disposed of.
(HARSIMRAN SINGH SETHI) JUDGE ( VIKAS SURI ) JUDGE 13.03.2026 Riya Whether speaking/reasoned:
Yes/No Whether Reportable:
Yes/No