CHANDIGARH, India: Mr. Justice Pritpal Singh of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today reserved judgment On a writ petition filed by Mr. Balvinder Singh Bhunder, an Akali M.L.A. from the Sardulgarh constituency in Bathinda district, seeking the release of the children detained in various jails in Punjab.
In an affidavit the Deputy Secretary (Home) of Punjab admitted that 21 children were lodged at Punjab jails. Mr. G.S. Grewal, Advocate General, Punjab, stated that all these children were detained after the issuance of detention warrants by the competent court.
Mr. K.T:S. Tulsi, counsel for the petitioner, on the other hand, maintained that the detention of the children was illegal and violate of Article 21 of the Constitution. The detention was also violating of the Supreme Court judgment in the Sheila Bares vs. State of Punjab case.
Mr. Tulsi requested the court that the State Government should be directed to pay damages as mere release of the children would not be enough.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 17, 1987
