The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed its registry to suspend the license of an advocate’s clerk who was disturbing the court by talking loudly on the phone.
The judge took note of the clerk’s conduct and directed the bench secretary to seize his mobile phone.
Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma said,
“In view of his conduct the Registry is directed to suspend his license and bar him from entering any of the court rooms.”
The Court referred the matter to the Registrar (Administration) and directed him to issue appropriate notice and pass appropriate orders after taking its response.
The mobile phone so seized may be sent along with the letter to the Registrar (Administration), who may release the same after considering the reply.
The court was hearing an election petition challenging the Lok Sabha election of former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who was elected MP from Jalandhar in the 17th Lok Sabha.
The petition filed by a Jalandhar voter said Channi hid information about the expenses incurred by him during the election process. However, no action was taken against the respondent due to the collusion of Election Commission officials, which clearly shows the malicious intentions of the respondent, the petition said.
It was alleged that Channi hid information about his expenditure on social media as well as paid news. The petitioner said that the local newspapers consistently covered only the respondent. Almost 90% of the coverage space was given to him and all the other candidates were not given even 10% of the coverage.
Listing the matter for December 13, the court directed Advocate Nikhil Ghai, appearing for Channi, to file a reply.
