Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday stayed further proceedings in an FIR registered against RTI activist Manik Goyal and others for questioning the alleged use of a government helicopter during the absence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
During the hearing on Goyal’s petition, the High Court strongly reprimanded the Punjab government and put a halt on further action in the case. The court observed that the state was not a “police regime” and questioned how such a case was made out merely for raising questions in public life. The court remarked that those holding public office should not be so sensitive that questions cannot be asked.
The state government argued that Goyal’s social media post had created a law-and-order situation and was intended to incite people. However, the High Court questioned the basis of this claim and asked how the post amounted to such an offence.
The court cautioned the government against trying to suppress public voices, stating that citizens have the right to question and criticise the government. It also advised the state not to indulge in political arguments before the court and warned that unnecessary debate could escalate the matter further. The court remarked that people are capable of understanding what is right and wrong and should not be misled or silenced.
In his petition, Manik Goyal stated that he had shared a social media post questioning who was using the chief minister’s government helicopter during his absence. He clarified that he did not name any individual in the post. Subsequently, some journalists interviewed him regarding the issue. Following this, an FIR was registered against him on December 12 at the Ludhiana Cyber Crime Police Station.
Goyal and others approached the High Court seeking the quashing of the FIR, terming it completely baseless and an attempt to curb free expression. The High Court’s interim stay has provided relief to the petitioners, with further proceedings in the matter remaining suspended.
