Contempt case against CM's media advisor on day-to-day basis

Chandigarh, Jan 19 (UNI) The proceedings under the contempt of court act initiated by the Punjab and Haryana High Court against Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, the media advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, will be taken up on day-to-day basis from January 22.

The matter was briefly heard today by a full bench comprising Justices Surinder Singh Nijjar, Rajive Bhalla and Suirya Kant.

Chahal faces the contempt charge on account of his attempt to interfere in the judicial process when he allegedly instructed Punjab Joint Secretary (Sports) D S Longya against submitting to the court the file pertaining to selection of some persons directly as DSPs in the state police under sports quota.

His son was among the seven appointed DSPs. However, the selection and appointments were quashed by the High Court.

At the outset, Anupam Gupta who is assisting the court in the matter, submitted that so far as Longya was concerned, no case of contempt of court was made out.

However, as far as Chahal is concerned, it is indeed a grave and highly culpable case of contempt, Gupta submitted further.

The hearing would now be resumed on January 22. Both Chahal and Longya were present in the court at the time of hearing in line with court directions.

UNI