Abhishek Malhotra And Another v. State Of Punjab And ORS

CWP-PIL-76 of 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CWP-PIL-76 of 2026 (O&M) Date of decision: 23.04.2026 ABHISHEK MALHOTRA AND ANOTHER ....Petitioners V/S STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANOTHER ... Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHEEL NAGU, CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJIV BERRY, JUDGE

Present:

Mr. Abhishek Malhotra, petitioner in person (through V.C.) Mr. Mr. Salil Sabhlok, Senior Deputy Advocate General, Punjab. **** SHEEL NAGU, CHIEF JUSTICE (Oral) CM No. 216-CWPIL-2026 Present application (CM No. 216-CWPIL-2026) has been filed for placing on record the documents as Annexure P-7 to P-9 is considered and allowed. The documents as appended with the present application are taken on record.

MAIN CASE 1.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed raising the alleged public cause and seeking following reliefs:- i.

issuance of a writ of certiorari for quashing the notification/Policy which is not available on the official website of respondents of imposing an amount to Rs.80/- service charge for downloading FIR's and Rs. 100 for DDR and Rs. 30 for lost information Receipt from the Punjab Police SANJH Portal.

ii.

Writ of mandamus direction the respondents to forthwith restore free Digital Access to FIR's and DDR's on the official website of the Punjab Police SAANJH Portal and ensure strict compliance with Section 173(2) BNSS, Rule 24.5 of KAMAL GANDHI 2026.04.24 14:32 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CWP-PIL-76 of 2026 Punjab Police Rules, 1934 and the Supreme Court directions in Youth Bar Association case;

iii.

Issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to refund the sum of Rs.80/- illegally charged from petitioner no. 1 on 24.03.2026 for downloading 0014/2026 along with interest @12% Per annum from the date of payment.

iv.

Issue a writ of mandamus directing the official respondents to decide the representation (Annexure P-4) sent by the present petitioner to the official respondents in the interest of Justice by passing a speaking order.

2.

The petitioner, who appears in person, through virtual mode submits that the representation dated 24.03.2026 (Annexure P-4) was submitted via email to respondents no. 1 and 2 i.e. Government of Punjab, Department of Home Affairs and Justice and the Director General of Police, Punjab (respectively) is presently pending consideration. 3.

In view of above, this Court directs the Competent Authority to consider and decide the representation dated 24.03.2026 (Annexure P-4) by passing a speaking order in accordance with law within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order and to communicate the same to the petitioner.

4.

With aforesaid direction and liberty, present petition stands disposed of without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case. (SHEEL NAGU) CHIEF JUSTICE (SANJIV BERRY) JUDGE 23.04.2026 Kamal Gandhi Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No KAMAL GANDHI 2026.04.24 14:32 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document