Punjab and Haryana High Court Orders FIR and IG-Led SIT After Lawyer Reports Threats to Withdraw Case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered registration of an FIR and constitution of an Inspector-General-led Special Investigation Team after counsel in a pending case reported threats from an international number demanding withdrawal of the petition.

What happened

The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered registration of an FIR and constitution of an Inspector-General-led Special Investigation Team after counsel in a pending case reported threats from an international number demanding withdrawal of the petition. Justice N.S. Shekhawat described threats to an advocate for pursuing judicial proceedings as a direct interference with administration of justice and noted that the allegations could also disclose criminal contempt. The Court directed Chandigarh Police to investigate fairly and independently. The underlying accusations concerning a criminal nexus remain allegations requiring investigation. The immediate order protects the integrity of pending proceedings and treats intimidation of counsel as an institutional justice-system concern.

Legal significance

The legal effect is confined to the present ruling or procedural development. Allegations and submissions are not treated as established facts.

What follows

The matter proceeds according to the operative judicial or statutory process described above.

Source: Original report