Amid the ongoing water dispute between Haryana and Punjab, a review petition filed by the Punjab government was heard in the Punjab and Haryana High Court today. During this, the High Court has issued notice to the Central Government, Haryana and BBMB. Also, now the next hearing of this case will be held on May 20.
On the other hand, an important meeting of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) is going to be held, in which engineers from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan will participate. In this, a strategy will be prepared on the issue of water to be released in May and June.
BBMB Chairman filed affidavit
Actually, water dispute was going on in Punjab and Haryana for many days. Meanwhile, on May 8, the BBMB Chairman had reached Bhakra to release water. There, people and AAP leaders stopped him from releasing water. Also, he was held hostage. After this, CM Bhagwant Mann himself reached Bhakra. He had said that he would not release water until the orders of the meeting held on May 2 under the leadership of the Union Home Secretary are not given to him.
During this time, BBMB had filed a petition in this matter. Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Chairman Manoj Tripathi said in the affidavit that Punjab Police obstructed him and his officers in dam operation. The court has asked the Punjab government to identify the police personnel who obstructed the work. After this, the Punjab government took action in this matter.
The government had argued this in the court
A state government spokesperson said that during the live court proceedings on May 8, 2025, BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi admitted that he was just surrounded by local citizens and the Punjab Police helped him to get out safely. However, in an affidavit dated May 9, 2025, Tripathi made the opposite allegation that he was kept in illegal custody, which is completely contrary to his previous court statement.
As a result, the Punjab Government invoked Section-379 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS), 2023, requesting the Hon’ble High Court to initiate investigation into the offence under Section-215 of the BNSS, which deals with wilfully submitting a false affidavit.
Further, the State has sought initiation of contempt of court proceedings against both Tripathi and Sanjeev Kumar, Director (Water Regulation) for wilfully disobeying the High Court order dated May 6, 2025.