Tue 09 August 2011-AMRITSAR: Senior Sikh advocate practising in the supreme court H.S. Phoolka here today announced about the formation of independent groups in all the districts of Punjab led by Sikh advocates to keep watch on activities of all candidates contesting SGPC General election.
However, SGPC elections are to be held on September 18, result to be declared on September 22.
Phoolka is also known for keeping soft corner for the Sikh families who had lost their relatives during the anti-Sikh riots held at Delhi in November 1984. However, Phoolka has been the advocate fighting cases of all the Sikh riot victims in the different courts in Delhi since 1984.
Talking to media during his visit in the city today, Phoolka said that in every election including State Assembly or SGPC general elections majority of candidates particularly of ruling party in Punjab indulge in malpractice to fetch maximum votes in their favors.
Adding further, Phoolka said that it was highly unfortunate that majority of the candidates belonging to ruling party or strong political parties distribute liquors and drugs in elections, and this time all such unethical means were also expected.
Phoolka said that SGPC elections to be contested as per the Sikh religious tenets and no unfair means should be brought in practice, if such things came in light the matter to be brought in the notice of Chief Election Commissioner of Gurdwara Commission to annul the candidature of candidate concerned for SGPC election.
Continuing further he said that if Chief Election Commissioner of Gurdwara Commission remained failed to take action against the errant candidate, in such circumstances PIL to be filed in the High Court or Supreme Court depending upon the sensitivity of the case.
Phoolka said that in this regard many Sikh advocates across the Punjab voluntarily came forward that they would form group of legal luminaries who would work day and night to keep hawk eyes on each activity of Candidates particularly their malpractice like distribution of money and intoxicants.
Phoolka said that in this regard he got support of more than one dozen Sikh religious and political groups to work for such issues. He said that Jatehdar Akal Takht Gyani Gurbachan Singh had already warned to Sikh candidates contesting SGPC elections to remain away from unethical practice during elections.
He says that an attempt is being made to enrol at least 50 volunteers in each constituency. All social and religious Sikh bodies have been contacted and they are forming joint committee for this purpose.
SGPC elections are to be contested in 170 seats, as 157 seats from Punjab, 1 in Chandigarh, 1 Himachal and 11 in Harayana.
Phoolka said during the SGPC elections posters and hoardings should be avoided during campaign and free flow of money by candidates should also be curbed or limitation of expenditure to be fixed by the Chief Election Commissioner of Gurdwara Commission, otherwise within a week he would file another PIL either in Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh or Supreme Court in Delhi.
Related story: from H.S. Phoolka's blog
SGPC ELECTIONS – ELIMINATE ROLE OF MONEY POWER
http://phoolka.org/
Letters By Shri H.S. Phoolka to the Chief Commissioner Gurudwara Elections
SGPC ELECTION: ELIMINATE THE ROLE OF MONEY POWER
I have written a letter to Chief Commissioner Gurudwara Election Chandigarh, to eliminate the role of money power and to check the expenses and certain guidelines to be issued immediately. It is most surprising that in the Assembly and Parliament Elections a limit on the expenses has been fixed and every candidate has to maintain the expenses and file it regularly with the Returning Officer during the campaign period. It is most surprising that in the SGPC which is a religious body and here money should not play any role, no limit on expenses has been fixed neither any condition for maintaining the expenses.
In addition to fixing a limit for expenses, I have made some other suggestions such as restriction on pasting of the posters, complete restrictions on putting the hoardings on roads and public streets, restriction on processions, and restriction on use of campaign vehicles. A copy of letter to the Chief Commissioner Gurudwara Elections is enclosed. Keeping in view the urgency of the matter we propose to approach the Central Government i.e. the Prime Minister and Home Minister to expedite the issuance of such guidelines. If need be, we will also file a Petition in the Supreme Court.
Contact:
H.S. PHOOLKA
Senior Advocate
C-253, Defence Colony,
New Delhi 110024.
Email : [email protected]