The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the preservation of the videography and official records relating to the June 23 proceedings for the election of the President and Vice-President of the Municipal Council, Malerkotla.
The directions came as the Bench issued notice of motion on a petition alleging that the presence of the ruling party’s General Secretary during the meeting influenced the voting and vitiated the entire election proceedings.
The Division Bench of Justice Deepak Sibal and Justice Rupinderjit Chahal was hearing the petition filed by Beant Kumar.
At the onset, the Bench recorded the petitioner’s contention that the General Secretary of the ruling party was allowed to remain present during the election of the Municipal Council President and Vice-President. The meeting was convened under Rule 3 of the Punjab Municipal (President and Vice-President) Election Rules, 1994.
According to the petition, his presence influenced the voting and “would vitiate the entire proceedings”.
Accepting notice, the State sought time to file its written statement. Pending further consideration of the matter, the Bench directed that the videography of the Municipal Council, Malerkotla, proceedings dated June 23 as well as the file notings and proceedings of the same day, be preserved till further orders.
The case has been adjourned to August 4.
