Vadhawa Singh Vs State of Punjab and Others — Punjab & Haryana HC (2025) — LawSathi Research

Vadhawa Singh Vs State of Punjab and Others — Punjab & Haryana HC (2025) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Direction to respondent No.3 to decide the representation dated 26.10.2024 (Annexure P-7) keeping in view the policy dated 08.11.2011 and guidelines dated 03.03.2014 within 4 months, after notice and hearing; benefit to be granted forthwith if found entitled; adverse orders to be reasoned, with liberty to the petitioners to seek legal redress. Photocopy of the order to be placed on the files of connected cases.

Issue for consideration

Whether the respondents were obliged to appoint one family member of the petitioners to a Class-C post, per the qualifications, in terms of the policy dated 08.11.2011 and guidelines dated 03.03.2014, following acquisition of their land for the Peona Thermal Power Plant. +1 more

Court's answer

The competent authority was to take the decision after notice to and hearing of the petitioners, and if they are found entitled, grant the benefit forthwith.

Ratio / Principle

Without commenting upon the merits, the Court disposed of the petitions with a direction to respondent No.3 to decide the representation dated 26.10.2024 (Annexure P-7) keeping in view the policy dated 08.11.2011 and guidelines dated 03.03.2014, within a period of 4 months, expecting the authorities to act in a just, fair and reasonable manner; the entitlement question itself was left undecided.

Key takeaways

If the decision on the representation is adverse to the petitioners, it must contain reasons, and the petitioners remain free to pursue legal remedies against it.ratio¶23

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Punjab & Haryana High Court (Aman Chaudhary, J.; oral, 24.03.2025) disposed of three connected writ petitions (CWP-8042-2025, CWP-8156-2025, CWP-8204-2025) in which petitioners, whose land measuring 463.45 marlas (2.9 acres) at Village Gobindpura, Tehsil Budhlada, District Mansa had been acquired for the Peona Thermal Power Plant, sought appointment of one family member to a Class-C post per policy dated 08.11.2011 and guidelines dated 03.03.2014, their representation dated 26.10.2024 having gone unanswered. Without commenting on merits, the Court directed respondent No.3 to decide the representation per the policy/guidelines within 4 months, after notice and hearing, granting the benefit forthwith if found entitled; adverse orders to carry reasons, with liberty to seek legal redress.

CWP-8042-2025 and other connected cases

1

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

121+133+142

Date of decision: 24.03.2025

CWP-8042-2025 Vadhawa Singh vs. State of Punjab and others

CWP-8156-2025 Guddi Kaur alias Jarnail Kaur vs. State of Punjab and others

CWP-8204-2025

Kaur Singh vs. State of Punjab and others

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMAN CHAUDHARY

Present : Mr. JPS Sidhu, Advocate for the petitioner(s) in all cases.

Mr. Swapan Shorey, DAG, Punjab.

AMAN CHAUDHARY, J. (Oral)

These cases involve similar issues and therefore, are being disposed

of together by this common order, for the sake of convenience the facts are derived from CWP-8042-2025.

Prayer made in the present petitions is for directing the respondents to appoint one family member of petitioners on Class-C post as per the qualifications in terms of policy dated 08.11.2011 and guidelines dated 03.03.2014, as land measuring 463.45 marlas (2.9 acres) had been acquired for establishment of Peona Thermal Power Plant at Village Gobindpura, Tehsil Budhlada, District Mansa. In this regard, a representation dated 26.10.2024, Annexure P-7, has been submitted, which have yet not evoked any response. He, on instructions, prays that a direction may be given to respondent No.3 to decide the same keeping in view the aforesaid policy and guidelines, in a time bound manner, to which learned State counsel has no objection.

In view of the above and without commenting upon the merits of the

HAMANT 2025.03.24 16:13 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

2

CWP-8042-2025 and other connected cases

case, these petitions are hereby disposed of with a direction to respondent No.3 to decide the representation dated 26.10.2024, Annexure P-7, keeping in view the aforesaid policy and guidelines, within a period of 4 months, which this Court has no reason to believe the authorities would not address in a just, fair and reasonable manner. Upon doing so, after notice and hearing offered to them and if found entitled, grant the benefit forthwith. Needless to say, if the orders are adverse to their interest, the same shall contain reasons and the petitioners shall be free to seek legal redress thereupon.

A photocopy of this order be placed on the files of connected cases.

	(AMAN CHAUDHARY) JUDGE
24.03.2025
Hemant
Whether speaking/reasoned	: Yes / No
Whether reportable	: Yes / No

HAMANT 2025.03.24 16:13 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document