CWP-17585-2025 (O&M) with connected cases -1- 101 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH **** CWP-17585-2025 (O&M) Date of Decision: 28.08.2025 Jarman Singh ..... Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others ..... Respondent CWP-23441-2025 (O&M) Pankaj Kapoor alias Pankaj Kumar Kapoor ..... Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others ..... Respondent CWP-20907-2025 (O&M) Kawaldeep Singh ..... Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others ..... Respondent CWP-21948-2025 (O&M) Ravinderpal ..... Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others ..... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASGURPREET SINGH PURI Present: Mr. Sanjeev Arora, Advocate for the petitioner in CWP-17585-2025. Mr. J.K. Jindal, Advocate for the petitioner in CWP-23441-2025. Mr. Amit Arora, Advocate for the petitioner in CWP-20907 & 21948-2025. Mr. Somesh Arora, Addl. AG, Punjab. **** JASGURPREET SINGH PURI, J. (ORAL) 1. All the civil writ petitions have been filed under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India and are being taken up together for final disposal BHUMIKA BHATI 2025.09.01 14:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document chandigarh CWP-17585-2025 (O&M) with connected cases -2- with the consent of all the learned counsels for the parties, since the issue involved in all the cases is similar in nature. 2. In compliance of the order dated 13.08.2025, affidavits have been filed by Dr. Basant Garg, Secretary to the Government of Punjab, presently acting as Secretary, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs in CWP-17585-2025 and CWP-23441-2025, which are taken on record. 3. In pursuance of the order dated 13.08.2025 passed by this Court, Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar, Additional Director Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Punjab and Mr. Sukhjinder Singh, District Food & Supplies Controller, Gurdaspur are present in Court today. 4. Mr. Somesh Arora, learned Additional Advocate General, Punjab while referring to the affidavit has submitted that corrective measures are being taken by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Punjab not only with regard to the districts which are involved in the present four petitions but also with regard to the entire State of Punjab and submitted that even adequate training program is also being conducted. He further submitted on instructions from the Additional Director Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Punjab, who is present in Court today that all the impugned orders in the present cases will be withdrawn forthwith and fresh orders will be passed strictly in accordance with law which will be speaking orders after giving adequate opportunity of hearing to the petitioners in accordance with the Punjab Targeted Public Distribution System (Licensing and Control) Order, 2016 and prayed that necessary permission may be granted to them to withdraw the impugned orders so that fresh orders may be passed. 5. Learned counsels appearing on behalf of all the petitioners have submitted that in view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances and the BHUMIKA BHATI 2025.09.01 14:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document chandigarh CWP-17585-2025 (O&M) with connected cases -3- statement made by learned State Counsel on instructions, the present petitions may be disposed of accordingly. 6. The respondent/State is permitted to take any kind of corrective measures including withdrawing of the impugned orders and passing fresh orders in accordance with law. 7. Mr. Somesh Arora, learned Addl. AG, Punjab has also submitted that although earlier training was given to all the officers of Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Punjab in pursuance of the order passed by this Court on 10.04.2023 in CWP No.6947 of 2023, but now again a specific training will be given to them especially with regard to how the complaints etc. are to be dealt with in accordance with law. 8. Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar, Additional Director Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Punjab has stated that a request has already been made to the learned Advocate General, Punjab for deputing any law officer to deliver lectures and to give training to the officers of Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Punjab. 9. This Court is of the view that although it is the wisdom of the learned Advocate General, Punjab to depute any law officer, but considering the fact that the present cases are being defended by Mr. Somesh Arora, learned Addl. A.G., Punjab and has fully understood the procedural lapses, it will be just and proper to request Mr. Somesh Arora, learned Addl. A.G., Punjab to give training to the officers of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Punjab. 10. Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar, Additional Director Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Punjab has submitted that the needful will be done and a separate written request will also be made to Mr. Somesh Arora, Additional BHUMIKA BHATI 2025.09.01 14:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document chandigarh CWP-17585-2025 (O&M) with connected cases -4- A.G., Punjab for delivering lectures and training to the officers of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Punjab and he will also be given suitable honorarium in this regard. 11. In view of the above, the present petitions are disposed of. 12. The matter be again listed after a period of three months from today, only for compliance purposes as to whether the training etc. has been undertaken or not and to what extent the same has been done. 28.08.2025 (JASGURPREET SINGH PURI) Bhumika JUDGE 1. Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No 2. Whether reportable: Yes/No BHUMIKA BHATI 2025.09.01 14:05 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document chandigarh