Avtar Henry’s citizenship issue: Notice issued to Centre on PIL

Chandigarh, April 8
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued a notice to the Union Home Ministry on a PIL filed by Jalandhar-based RTI activist Ajay Seghal for becoming party to the revision petition filed by former minister Avtar Henry against the termination of his Indian citizenship. Sehgal had brought Avtar Henry’s citizenship issue under the judicial scanner.

Taking up the matter, Justice RN Raina issued a notice to Union Home Secretary and to Avtar Henry for April 23.

Directing Jalandhar Commissioner of Police to examine the complaint against Punjab's former minister regarding his citizenship, the High Court in December last year had made it clear that an FIR would have to be registered in case the allegations were prima facie found to be true.

The Bench of Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain had directed the Commissioner to examine the complaint dated September 27, 2012, filed by Sehgal and to order registration of an FIR against him, if a prima facie case was found to have been made out, within two months.

Sehgal, through advocate HC Arora, had stated that Avtar Henry acquired the British citizenship in 1969 under the name of Avtar Singh. He came to India on the British passport the same year and obtained an Indian passport, which was renewed from time to time. He also registered himself as a voter in the Jalandhar (North) constituency and contested the elections in 1986, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012.

HC notice to UT, Punjab on PIL

Chandigarh, April 8
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice to the Centre and authorities in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on a public interest litigation seeking a ban on cancer-causing agents.

The PIL claimed there was a nexus between government officials and the industry, due to which carcinogens made their way into the consumer market. “The unholy nexus and collusion between the industry and public servants leads to a situation which results in mortality and morbidity of a large number of people, which is no less than cold-blooded murder,” the PIL filed by Hemant Goswami said.

He has sought a ban on “all cancer-causing agents identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)”.

In his petition, Goswami stated: “The WHO and its affiliate IARC has, in its over 50 years of research, identified hundreds of agents (carcinogens)... Despite such carcinogens having been clearly identified, the government does nothing and such cancer-causing agents frequently make way into the market... and are used in various industries to which people are exposed, and thereby it has resulted in increased cancer prevalence in India”.

He also sought suitable arrangements to compensate and provide damages to anyone exposed to carcinogens at his workplace or otherwise.

DPS branch opens in Sangrur

Sangrur, A branch of Delhi Public School (DPS) was inaugurated by Ashok Chandra (a retired IAS officer), chairman of the Delhi Public School Society, New Delhi, on 7th April, 2013.

He assured the gathering that the school would provide high quality education to its students.

He said this would help them become leaders of tomorrow and overcome many obstacles in their lives.

Dr Harish Dhillon, who is the educational advisor to the school, broadly explained the education policy of the school. Dhillon is also the former Headmaster of Lawrence Public School, Sanawar.

Kulwinder Singh, Director (Administration), spoke about the aims and objectives of setting up the school here.

Among others present on the occasion included GS Grewal, former IAS officer, Baldish Singh Toor, president of the school, and pro-Vice Chairman Dr Ravi Sher Singh Toor.