HC notice to minister, writers on Punjabi literary awards

Chandigarh, Aug 7 (UNI) The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notices for September 17 to Punjab Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur, noted Punjabi writers Jaswant Singh Kanwal, Dalip Kaur Tiwana and six others on a PIL.

The order was issued by a Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice A K Mittal on the PIL filed by Pradeep Joshi of Panchkula.

The PIL seeks directions to restrain the presentation of Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar and other awards to Mr Kanwal, Mrs Tiwana and other writers as they were the members of the screening committee and the advisory board of Punjab Language Department which chose the individuals to be conferred with these awards, carrying a cash component of Rs five lakh each.

The respondent writers have selected themselves for the awards violating law settled by the Supreme Court order in K P Kripak versus Union of India case when a member of the selection committee was chosen for an appointment and which was set aside by the apex court.

No one can be judge in his own case, as the same is against principles of justice, it was submitted by the counsel for the petitioner. The awards are to be presented tomorrow at a function at the Punjab University here.

UNI XC HS KK KN2113