Chandigarh, May 20: Amid the ongoing water dispute between Haryana and Punjab, the review petition filed by the Punjab government was heard in the Punjab and Haryana High Court today (20 May). During this, the Central Government, Haryana Government and BBMB have filed their replies in this matter. While the Punjab Government has sought time to file its reply. The court has agreed to this.
Now the next hearing of this case has been fixed for 22nd May. On the other hand, the protest which has been going on in Nangal for the last 20 days will end today. According to sources, CM Bhagwant Mann can participate in it.
The BBMB chairman gave an affidavit
BBMB chairman filed an affidavit. Actually, there was a water dispute going on between Punjab and Haryana for many days. Meanwhile, on May 8, BBMB chairman had reached Bhakra to release water. There people and AAP leaders stopped him from releasing water and held him hostage. After this, CM Bhagwant Mann himself reached Bhakra.
They had said that they would not release water until they were given the orders of the meeting held on May 2 under the leadership of Union Home Secretary. Meanwhile, BBMB had filed a petition in this matter. Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Chairman Manoj Tripathi said in an affidavit that Punjab Police obstructed him and his officers in operating the dam. The court has asked the Punjab government to identify those policemen who obstructed the work. After this, the Punjab government took action in this matter.
The government had given this argument
The government had argued in the court that the state government spokesperson said that during the live court proceedings on May 8, 2025, BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi admitted that he was surrounded only by local citizens and the Punjab Police helped him to get out safely.
However, in an affidavit dated May 9, 2025, Tripathi made the contrary allegation that he was kept in illegal detention, which is completely contrary to his previous court statement. As a result, the Punjab government has imposed the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS),
The State invoked Section 379 of the 2023 CrPC to request the Hon’ble High Court to initiate an inquiry into the offence under Section 215 of the BNSS, which deals with wilfully submitting a false affidavit. Apart from this, the State has sought to initiate contempt of court proceedings against both Tripathi and Sanjeev Kumar, Director (Water Regulation) for wilfully disobeying the High Court order dated May 6, 2025.