Akali Dal granted permission to hold rally tomorrow

The Punjab and Haryana High Court Saturday night maintained its order of granting permission to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to hold rally at Faridkot tomorrow.

In the morning, the single bench of Justice R K Jain granted permission to the SAD for holding 'Pol Khol' rally at Faridkot.

Later, in the day, Punjab Advocate General Atul Nanda, representing the state government, challenged the single bench's order in the double bench, claiming that they were not "heard".

However, the double bench of the court directed the state to approach the bench of Justice R K Jain to challenge the order.

The court of Justice Jain maintained its earlier order of granting permission to the SAD with minor modifications.

The proceedings in the court of the single bench commenced at 8 pm and the directions came at around 9 pm.

In its order, the court has changed the route plan whereby Akali supporters will have to reach Kotkapura from Bajakhana via Jaitu instead of going via Bargari, for the rally, said Damanbir Singh Sodhi, counsel for Akali Dal in the evening.

"We have also been asked to reach Faridkot from Kotkapura via new highway instead of old city," said Sodhi.

"Democratic principles of the country have been upheld by the court," he said.

Earlier, in the day, the Single bench granted the permission to the Shiromani Akali Dal to hold rally at Faridkot tomorrow.

Besides, Justice R K Jain also directed the Punjab government to provide adequate security to avoid any untoward incident in the wake of rally.

The directions came after opposition party on Friday moved the high court, seeking directions to the concerned authorities to grant permission for holding a rally.

The petitioner Akali Dal spokesman and former minister Daljit Singh Cheema said, "The court also put a stay on the order of the Faridkot SDM who denied the permission to hold rally."