[Amritsar Mayor Polls] Alleged Raids By Police On Some Councillors Is A Mockery Of Democratic Setup: P&H HC Directs Video Recording Of Process

The Punjab & Haryana High Court today directed the video recording of proceedings to be conducted for electing the mayor of Amritsar Municipal Corporation.

In a plea filed by a Congress Councillor it was alleged that the houses of some of the Councillors, who are to participate in the meeting, were being raided by the Police authorities to harass them and prevent their participation in the aforesaid meeting for electing the Mayor.

Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Sukhvinder Kaur said, "This Court refrains itself from going into the merits of the said plea at this stage, except to prima facie observe that if such practices are being adopted by the State machinery, the same is very unfortunate and is a mockery of a democratic set up."

The Court was hearing two pleas filed by Congress Counsellors Saurabh Madan Mithu and Vikas Soni seeking directions to conduct the meeting for the elections of President and vice President of Municipal Corporation, Amritsar under videography and by adopting the show of hands procedure.

After hearing the submissions, the Court directed to dispose of the writ petitions with the following directions:-

i) The respondents-authorities shall conduct the first meeting of the newly elected Councillors on the scheduled date and time i.e. 27.01.2025 at 04:00 p.m. as indicated in the notice dated 24.01.2025.

ii) Respondents-authorities shall ensure that the scheduled meeting is held under the supervision of the Competent Authority and the proceedings of the meetings are conducted in a free and fair manner.

iii) The members coming forward to participate and vote in the said meeting, shall be provided adequate security so that no untoward incident takes place in the meeting.

iv) The Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, shall ensure that adequate security is provided at the place of meeting and to the members participating in the meeting and shall also ensure that no ruckus takes place in or around the premises of the place of meeting, prior to, during or after the aforesaid meeting.

v) The entire proceedings of the aforesaid meeting, shall be videographed by the Official Respondents.

Mr. Deepanshu Mehta, Advocate and Mr. Nikhil Ghai, Advocate, for the petitioner ( in CWP-1233-2025).

Mr. G.B.S. Dillon, Advocate and M.r Rahul Bhargav, Advocate, for the petitioner ( im CWP-2015-2025).

Title: SAURABH MADAAN MITHU v. STATE OF PUNJAB & ORS.

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (PH) 40