Khap panchayat: Notice to DC,SP Bhiwani

Chandigarh, Feb 23 (UNI) The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice to the deputy commissioner and district police chief of Bhiwani to file their response by March 17 as to why no action had been taken against those members of Khap panchayat who were resorting to illegal activities as alleged by the petitioner.

The notice was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice D K Jain and Justice Surya Kant on the application moved by the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties(PUCL), Haryana seeking directions to summon the DC and SP of Bhiwani in the court to explain as to why culprits responsible for acts of unlawful confinement, assault and other offences had not been apprehended.

When the counsel for PUCL prayed for summoning the officers, the bench said necessary orders would be issued after the reply of the respondents was received and examined. The PIL of PUCL has alleged that office bearers and members of Sheoran Khap had been functioning like a parallel court and handing out punishment to persons.

UNI XC HS VD GC2028