New Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini's Appointment Challenged In High Court

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed today in the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the appointment of Haryana's new Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who is also a BJP's Lok Sabha MP from Kurukshetra.

After former CM ML Khattar resigned and the entire cabinet stepped down yesterday, Saini was appointed as the new CM of Haryana.

The plea stated that Saini is a sitting MP and without having tendered his resignation from the parliamentary seat he has been administered the "oath of secrecy" as a Chief Minister of the Haryana, which is violation of the Constitution and Representation Of People Act, 1951.

"Since the Hon'ble Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini is holder of the office of profit under the Government of India being the Member of the Parliament and simultaneously holding the post of the Honourable Chief Minister of the State without being the member of legislative assembly of Haryana as such he invites disqualification from the post of member of Parliament under the Representation of People Act 1951 as well as under the Constitution of India provisions," the PIL contended.

Advocate Jagmohan Singh Bhatti has moved the High Court alleging that the "newly appointed government is an illegal, and a fraud on democracy."

It is submitted in the plea that the total strength of the house is 90 MLAs and by way of appointment of Nayab Singh Saini it exceeds the limit of 90 MLAs which is not permissible under the Constitution of India. "The installation of the government of Haryana on 12.03.2024 is illegal and void," the plea says.

It is also highlighted that the newly appointed CM Saini is not MLA of Haryana Assembly "hence he has committed the fraud with the public, Constitution of India and with the public exchequer."

The plea also challenges the appointment of five cabinet ministers namely Kanwarpal Gujjar (MLA Chachrauli), Cabinet Minister, BJP leader Moolchand Sharma, Ranjit Singh (MLA independent) , JP Dalal (MLA BJP Loharu), Dr. Banwari Lal (BJP MLA Baval).

Bhatti seeks freezing of the salaries, other financial benefits and facilities provided to the Chief Minister and Cabinet Ministers.

Title: Jagmohan Singh Bhatti v. Union of India & Ors.