Punjab & Haryana HC Rejects Adjournment Over ‘No Work Day’; Says One Cannot Rest While Forces Fight at the Border

In a firm response to a request for adjournment citing a “No Work Day” declared by the Bar amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions, the Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that national responsibilities cannot be abandoned when armed forces are on the battlefield.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel declined to excuse the absence of counsel in a case involving the Punjab-Haryana water dispute, emphasising that video conferencing facilities allow lawyers to continue their duties from home.

“When our forces are fighting on the battlefield, you can’t sit at home and rest. If everyone does that, the entire system of the country will come to a grinding halt. If you want to work from home, the video conference facility allows everyone to connect,” the Court remarked.

Bar’s Call for “No Work Day”

The High Court Bar Association, citing safety concerns and advisories regarding potential air strikes in Chandigarh, had called for a “No Work Day” on May 9. The move followed a sharp escalation in border hostilities and power outages in the region.

Counsel appearing for the Punjab Government had requested an adjournment, submitting that senior counsel was unavailable and that advocates were obliged to honour the Bar Council’s directive.

“Your Lordship may kindly adjourn the matter to Monday, as we have to follow the ‘No Work Day’ call declared by the Bar Council, since our licenses are issued by them,” he pleaded.

However, the Court refused the adjournment and rescheduled the matter for 4 PM.

Status of the Bhakra Beas Water Dispute

The hearing pertains to a contempt petition filed by a Gram Panchayat, alleging that the Punjab Police had interfered with the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) operations, despite a High Court order restraining such interference.

On May 8, the Court had directed BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi to submit an affidavit regarding his claim that Punjab Police prevented BBMB officers from releasing 200 cusecs of water to Haryana.

Tripathi, who joined via video conference, told the Court that BBMB officials had been restrained, and he was himself “gheraoed” at a guest house before being rescued by the Punjab Police.

Court Monitoring Compliance

The Court also asked Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain to produce the minutes of a May 2 meeting, where it was resolved to release 4,500 cusecs of additional water to Haryana over eight days. Due to the hearing being preponed to 12 PM, the affidavit was not yet filed; Jain assured that it would be submitted by the 4 PM hearing.

Senior Counsel Rajesh Garg, appearing for BBMB, also committed to filing an affidavit supporting the claim that the Punjab Police had obstructed water release.

“Now the fact zeros down on one point—whether a contempt notice should be issued or not,” the Bench observed, underlining the seriousness of the alleged violations.

Background

The dispute arises from a long-standing conflict between Punjab and Haryana over the Bhakra Nangal Dam’s water distribution. On May 7, the Court had ordered Punjab Police not to interfere with the functioning of BBMB. Allegations of defiance have since prompted judicial scrutiny.

The matter is slated for further hearing this evening as the Court weighs whether to initiate contempt proceedings.