Latest news with #TaranjeetSingh
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Indian Express
Punjab and Haryana High Court flags ‘bouncer' menace in Punjab, says it's spreading fear
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted anticipatory bail to an accused in a case involving an unlicensed private security agency, even as it raised alarm over the growing 'bouncer' culture in Punjab. The High Court passed the order late last month, and the ruling was uploaded Tuesday. The case was based on a complaint by Jagvir Singh, owner of Jass Security Khanna Agency, who alleged that the accused Taranjeet Singh and his co-accused Roshan Lal ran an unlicensed agency named Fateh Group, and had threatened and defamed him. As per the complaint, 'The petitioner Taranjeet Singh, along with co-accused Roshan Lal, threatened the complainant with dire consequences through mobile phone, and they also used to defame the business of the complainant by posting false stories on Facebook and Instagram.' An inquiry by the deputy superintendent of police (Detective), Khanna, confirmed that Taranjeet Singh and his associate were operating without a licence, in violation of the Punjab Private Security Agency Rules, 2007. While noting that Taranjeet Singh had earlier withdrawn a bail plea due to an undisclosed past FIR under Section 15 of the NDPS Act, the court held there was no need for custodial interrogation. 'This means that if the police were, in fact, interested in arresting the petitioner, they would have done so because they also arrested the co-accused Roshan. Be that as it may, this is not a case where pre-trial custodial interrogation is required or would be justified.' The court granted him anticipatory bail subject to furnishing bonds and cooperating with the investigation. But beyond the bail order, the court's remarks targeted deeper concerns about the abuse of power in the private security sector. Referring to the Fateh Bouncer Security Group, the court observed, 'The paramount concern for this Court is the use of the word 'Bouncer' in 'Fateh Bouncer Security Group.' Incidents like these highlight a disturbing trend where a particular segment of employers and employees, under the guise of a simple job description 'Bouncer,' have started adopting a terrorising and bullying role, becoming too comfortable donning an armour of hostility, aggression and subjecting the citizenry to indignity and humiliation at will, unafraid of any negative consequences, presuming themselves to have unfettered powers over the law.' Quoting dictionary definitions, the court said: 'According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a bouncer is one that bounces: such as (a): one employed to restrain or eject disorderly persons; (b): a bouncing ground ball. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a bouncer is defined as a person employed to eject disorderly persons from a public place, especially a bar or nightclub.' The court noted that the term, as used in Punjab, had come to denote private muscle power beyond legal bounds — 'extra-constitutional authorities' who 'take pride in exuberant arrogance, using threats, intimidation, physical coercion, and brute force as weapons.' Emphasising that the term has no legal backing, the court stated, 'The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005, does not refer to security guards as 'bouncers.' The security agencies have to employ security guards as per the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005, and in the state of Punjab, also as per the Punjab Private Security Agency Rules, 2007.' It added that the original role of security personnel — to ensure safety and respect — had been perverted, with 'bouncers' now instilling 'fear, anxiety, and terror in the mind of the public and to intimidate others.' The court criticised Punjab for turning a blind eye. 'The State is also aware of how the term 'bouncer' is being used by security agencies to throw around their weight and exert their influence, as explicitly mentioned in this FIR. However, the State chooses to remain unperturbed, unconcerned, and, therefore, insensitive towards such an issue.' It urged the executive to step in, observing, 'It is up to the State to take or not to take any steps to ensure that the term 'Bouncer' is not used by any recovery or security agents or their agencies for their employees so that these security guards/personnel associate their respective roles with respect, dignity and responsibility.'
Indian Express
18-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Punjab and Haryana High Court pulls up Bajwa Developers for poor amenities at New Sunny Enclave
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered firm action against Bajwa Developers Ltd. for failing to meet basic infrastructure commitments in a mega housing project in New Sunny Enclave, Kharar. The court has also directed the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to resolve the electricity supply issues faced by residents. The order, passed earlier this week by Justice Sureshwar Thakur, came in a batch of six connected petitions filed between 2021 and 2023. The petitions were filed by the New Sunny Enclave Residents Social Welfare Association and several individual homeowners, who alleged that the developer had failed to comply with previous court directions and sought that the authorities take over the project. Developer failed to meet NOC conditions: Court A key issue in the case was the developer's failure to comply with the terms of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by PSPCL in 2017. In an affidavit filed by Taranjeet Singh, Senior Executive Engineer at PSPCL, the court was told: 'The Developer has failed to comply with the terms of the aforementioned No Objection Certificate (NOC)… Furthermore, the Developer has not applied for a new/revised NOC to date.' Due to this non-compliance, permanent electricity connections have not been provided to many homes in the area. During a site inspection in March 2025, PSPCL found that six 500 KVA transformers had been erected without official seals and that work on high and low tension lines was still in progress. Justice Thakur observed that the existing infrastructure was already overloaded. 'Unless additional land for installation of the requisite infrastructure is released in favour of PSPCL… electricity connections may not be amenable to become released,' the order stated. Unsold land to be used for infrastructure, auction ordered The court referred to records indicating that two acres of land owned by Bajwa Developers remain unsold. It directed that this land be used to set up the required power infrastructure for the colony. Further, the land and plots hypothecated by Bajwa Developers with GMADA will now be auctioned by the district collector within one month of the order to raise funds for pending works. In a major move, the court handed over responsibility for completing all basic amenities—both external and internal development works—to a team headed by the Chief Secretary of Punjab, along with two auditors from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Chandigarh. The team has been tasked with surveying the colony to assess the extent and cost of unfinished work. All the basic amenities that were originally to be provided by Bajwa Developers, as per the licence issued to them, will now be completed by this committee. GMADA, PSPCL also held accountable The court noted that GMADA and PSPCL were responsible for ensuring infrastructure under the NOC issued in 2017. 'As per Clause 3 and Clause 4 of the issued NOC… GMADA was responsible for bearing all costs associated with the 66 kV Grid Sub-station, 66 KV Transmission Line, 11 KV Line, and related infrastructure.' However, the court pointed out that neither GMADA nor the developer had provided the required land for these installations. The petitioners were represented by advocates Deepak Goyat, Ashwani Talwar, and Rakesh Dhiman. Senior advocates Anu Chatrath (for GMADA and PSPCL) and Baltej Singh Sidhu (for Bajwa Developers) appeared for the respondents. Residents see hope after long delay The ruling is being seen as a relief for hundreds of residents who have faced prolonged delays and unreliable services. PSPCL has said it will provide permanent electricity connections 'as and when revised NOC is sought by the Builder, and the terms and conditions incorporated in the said NOC are complied with'.
