High Court Seeks Punjab Government's Clarification on Minister Harjot Bains' Canada Visitਹਰਜੋਤ ਬੈਂਸ ਦੀ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ ਯਾਤਰਾ 'ਤੇ ਹਾਈਕੋਰਟ ਨੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਤੋਂ ਮੰਗਿਆ ਜਵਾਬ

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought a clarification from the Punjab government over allegations that Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains travelled to Canada in January 2024 without obtaining the mandatory political clearance from the Government of India.

The direction came during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by Karanpreet Singh, a Jalandhar resident and RTI activist, who has sought an independent CBI inquiry into the minister's foreign visit. The petitioner has also asked the court to call for records relating to Bains' stay in Canada and the travel allowances claimed for his visits to Punjab and Delhi during the same period.

What the petition alleges

According to the petition, Bains was on a private trip to Canada from January 17 to 20, 2024. The petitioner alleges that government records, however, showed the minister's presence and local visits at various locations in Punjab and Delhi during those same days. The petition also questions the payment for a government vehicle's three-day stay in connection with the minister's travel to Delhi for his flight.

What the court observed

The court observed that although the state had denied any financial impropriety concerning the vehicle allegedly used to transport the minister to Delhi for his flight, questions remained about the payment of charges for the vehicle's three-day stay and the alleged absence of the required clearance. It directed the Punjab government to respond to the assertions raised in the petition.

The matter will come up for hearing next on November 2.

Background

The petition was heard earlier in September, when the minister's Canada visit first drew scrutiny over whether the rules governing foreign travel by state ministers were followed. The allegations in the petition have not been adjudicated on merits so far; the court's latest order simply asks the state to file its reply.

Who is Harjot Singh Bains?

Harjot Singh Bains is a cabinet minister in Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party government and holds the education portfolio.

What clearance is required for a minister's foreign visit?

State ministers travelling abroad are required to obtain political clearance from the Government of India before undertaking private or official foreign visits. The petition alleges this clearance was not taken for the January 2024 Canada trip.

What happens next in the case?

The Punjab government has been asked to file its response to the assertions raised in the petition. The case will be heard next on November 2.