CWP/21910/2026 of SWARN SINGH AND OTHERS Vs STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS on 20 July 2026

1. Through this petition, the petitioners seek issuance of directions to the State to convene a meeting of the newly elected members of the Zila Parishad, Bathinda so that elections to the post of Chairman and Vice Chairman can be held.

2. At the outset, learned State counsel submits that the meeting, as above, shall be convened within 10 days from today; the entire meeting and the venue from outside, from all possible angles, shall be videographed, which videography shall include the process of voting; counting of the votes shall also be videographed; the CCTV/videographed material, along with chandigarh copies of the written proceedings of the meeting, in original, shall be preserved under the care and custody of Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda for a period of 06 months; adequate security, if so required, shall also be made available where the afore meeting/elections are going to take place and that to ensure fairness in the conduct of the afore meeting, the State has also no objection to the appointment of an independent Observer(s).

3. We hold that the State shall remain bound by the afore statement made before us.

4. Further, Mr. Ishnoor Singh, Advocate and Mr. Samridh Sindhu, Advocate are appointed as Observers who shall remain present throughout the proceedings of the meeting to be convened for electing Chairman and Vice Chairman of Zila Parishad, Bathinda.

5. Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda is directed to inform the appointed Observers at least 48 hours before the meeting, as above, is to be convened. Such information shall be sent to the appointed Observers through e-mail, whatsapp and a letter to be served upon them through a special messenger. Details with regard to their e-mail, whatsapp and addresses shall be forthwith shared by the appointed Observers with Mr. Raghav Garg, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab.

6. The appointed Observers shall reach the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda on the date of the meeting at least 03 hours before the scheduled time after which the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda shall ensure that the appointed Observers securely reach the venue of the meeting well before the meeting commences.

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7. After the afore meeting concludes, the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda shall make arrangements for securely bringing back the appointed Observers from the venue of the meeting to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda.

8. The appointed Observers shall be at liberty to take photographs/videos of the proceedings both inside and outside the venue.

9. The report of the appointed Observers with photographs/videos, if any, shall be submitted to this Court in a sealed cover to be kept in the safe custody of Registrar (Judicial) of this Court for a period of six months.

10. As agreed by learned counsel for the petitioners, fee in advance @ Rs.1 lakh shall be paid to Mr. Ishnoor Singh, Advocate and Rs.25,000/- Mr. Samridh Sindhu, Advocate. Such payment shall include all out-of-pocket expenses which may be incurred by the appointed Observers.

11. A copy of this order be supplied to the appointed Observers.

12. The petition is disposed of in the above terms. (DEEPAK SIBAL) JUDGE

(RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL) JUDGE July 20, 2026 Jyoti 1 Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether reportable Yes/No chandigarh