Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday called upon the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene urgently and direct the prompt notification of the appointment of two distinguished Sikh lawyers — Harmeet Singh Grewal and Deepinder Singh Nalwa — as judges in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The appeal came after the clearance of their appointments by the Supreme Court collegium.
Expressing his dismay, Sukhbir highlighted the apparent discrepancy in the approval process. While the names of three other lawyers were greenlit for judgeship in the same list, the recommendations for Harmeet Singh Grewal and Deepinder Singh Nalwa were conspicuously withheld by the Union Government.
Sukhbir stressed the need to ensure non-discrimination against the Sikh community and other minorities in judicial appointments. He referred to the Supreme Court's observation, which criticized the Central Government's selective approach, sending a disconcerting message to the Sikh community.
Highlighting that such bias has occurred in the past, Sukhbir emphasized the importance of giving due weightage to the recommendations of the Supreme Court collegium. He urged the government not to withhold any names on extraneous grounds and promptly notify the appointments of Grewal and Nalwa to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
SAD president emphasized that this step would not only align with the spirit of justice but also demonstrate the government's commitment to a fair and unbiased judiciary, free from discriminatory practices.