HC bench recuses from hearing petition against Rana Gurjit

Chandigarh

A Punjab and Haryana high court bench on Tuesday recused from hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking shifting of Punjab power minister Rana Gurjit Singh’s portfolio citing “conflict of interest”.

The matter was listed before high court bench of justice SS Saron and justice Avneesh Jhingan, which directed that matter be listed before some other bench in which justice SS Saron is not present, after nod from the chief justice.

The PIL has been filed by advocate HC Arora who has argued that Rana Gurjit and his wife, Rana Rajbans Kaur, were majority shareholders in M/S Rana Sugars Limited, and the saidcompany hadan agreement inked on December 4, 2012, with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to supply power generated by it up to 20 MW. There were certain provisions in this agreement which gave discretion to the PSPCL to make advance payments to this company, by making some discount.

The agreement is to continue till December 4, 2027, the court was told adding that since Singh was holding power ministry, he had full control over PSPCL. Thus, a situation of ‘conflict of interest’ has arisen where the portfolio of power should be taken back or he should be asked to sever his all connections with the firm, the petitioner lawyer has argued.