After hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions for a CBI or court-monitored special investigation team probe into financial scams in the Punjab education department, the Punjab and Haryana high court allowed the petitioner to withdraw the petition.
But the division bench headed by acting chief justice Jasbir Singh granted the liberty to the petitioner to file a fresh petition after the state government finalises the terms of reference of the justice AN Jindal (retd) inquiry commission. The court stated that it was a premature stage to file the petition.
The petition was filed by Patiala resident Paramjit Singh. Appearing for the petitioner, advocate HC Arora informed the court that an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was necessary in this case as education minister Sikander Singh Maluka was at the helm of affairs. The court was informed that a perusal of the press note officially issued by the public relations department showed that the conduct of the minister who allegedly played a pivotal role in these scams had not been specifically included in the terms of reference of the inquiry commission.