punjab-haryana-water-row-hc-asks-bbmb-chief-to-file-affidavit

Amid escalating tensions over the Punjab-Haryana water-sharing dispute, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday directed Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Chairman Manoj Tripathi to submit an affidavit detailing his claim that the Punjab Police prevented him from releasing water to Haryana.

 

The direction came just two days after the court ordered the Punjab government not to obstruct the release of 4,500 cusecs of additional water to Haryana and to refrain from interfering in BBMB operations.

 

Appearing via videoconference before a bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel, Chairman Tripathi informed the court that two BBMB officials tasked with releasing 200 cusecs of water to Haryana were restrained by the Punjab Police. He further stated that he was "gheraoed" by civilians at a guest house and later rescued by the police.

 

Taking note of his submissions, the bench asked Tripathi to file his statement on an affidavit.

 

The court also directed Additional Solicitor General of India Satya Pal Jain to produce the minutes of a high-level meeting chaired by the Union Home Secretary on May 2. During that meeting, it was reportedly decided that 4,500 cusecs of extra water would be released to Haryana over an eight-day period to address urgent needs.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 9.

 

The application, filed through advocates R. Kartikeya and Ridhi Bansal, also urged the deployment of Central Forces or CISF at the Bhakra Nangal Dam and Lohar Control Room, citing disruptions caused by the Punjab administration.

 

“As per social media reports and news channels, Harjot Singh Bains, Cabinet Minister, Government of Punjab, has released his statement to the effect that they will not allow water from BBMB to the State of Haryana at any cost. As reported today by a large section of the media, he along with his supporters and police detained the BBMB chairman and its officers. Such illegal act and action of the State of Punjab erodes public trust which is sacrosanct right to liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” the application added.

 

Senior counsel Gurminder Singh appeared for the State of Punjab, while ASG Satya Pal Jain appeared for the Union Government.