HC intervention leads to acceptance of Charanjit Kaur’s nomination for Zila Parishad polls in Amritsar
Babushahi Bureau
Amritsar (Punjab), December 12, 2025:In a significant development in the ongoing Zila Parishad General Elections–2025, the nomination papers of Charanjit Kaur from Zone No. 17 (Tangra), District Amritsar, have been accepted following the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Charanjit Kaur had filed a writ petition challenging the rejection of her nomination by the Returning Officer on December 5. Her nomination was earlier rejected under Section 208 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, after an objection was raised by another candidate, Amarjit Kaur Bibi, alleging pending dues against Charanjit Kaur in a cooperative society.
Based on a report from the Assistant Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Baba Bakala, which termed her a defaulter, the Returning Officer had rejected her nomination despite the petitioner producing a No Dues Certificate dated December 3, 2025 from the concerned society.
Hearing the matter, the Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that once a liability already assessed had been paid and a no-dues certificate issued, the same could not be enhanced later without issuing a show-cause notice or providing an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. The Court further held that withdrawal of the no-dues certificate without due process was prima facie unjustified. Accordingly, the Court directed the Returning Officer to reconsider the petitioner’s eligibility.
Complying with the High Court’s directions, Surinder Singh, PCS, Additional Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Amritsar-cum-Returning Officer, Zila Parishad Amritsar, passed a speaking order accepting Charanjit Kaur’s nomination papers. The order formally allows her to contest the Zila Parishad elections from Zone No. 17, Tangra.