The High Court's order highlights the seriousness of the allegations and presses the Election Commission for transparency.

Punjab HC Gives 2-Day Deadline to SEC Over Viral Zila Parishad Poll Audio Probe

On Monday, 8 December, 2025, the Punjab and Haryana High Court (PHHC) gave a 2-day deadline to the Punjab State Election Commission (SEC) for clarification on its position regarding a probe into a viral conference call audio clip about the ongoing rural polls in Punjab.

The bench, headed by Justice Sheel Nagu, was hearing about the public interest litigation petitions filed by Diljit Singh Cheema, a former MLA, and other petitioners. According to the petitioners, the audio exposes “directives to halt opponents at homes or routes, act on local MLA’s orders, shield ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters with positive reports, and ensure returning officers reject entries,” effectively engineering uncontested victories and violating the Model Code of Conduct.

During the hearing, the SEC’s counsel informed the court that an internal inquiry had been entrusted to a senior-ranking police officer -SPS Parmar of ADGP rank and that the inquiry report was still pending. The court noted this but also emphasised that the original device on which the recording was made would be required for a proper forensic examination. Petitioners argued that forensic analysis could be done using the available material and urged that the evidence be forwarded to a neutral laboratory outside Punjab, preferably in Chandigarh, to ensure impartiality.

The court did not pass any immediate order on forensic testing but adjourned the matter to allow the SEC to come forward with a firm stand by Wednesday.

This development comes just days ahead of the rural body elections, which involve 22 Zila Parishads and 153 Panchayat Samitis, where significant opposition allegations already exist. Concerns had been raised earlier against alleged misuse of police and administrative machinery to disrupt nomination filing or undue interference against non-AAP candidates.

The High Court’s order highlights the seriousness of the allegations and presses the Election Commission for transparency. Its decision to demand the SEC’s clarification and a credible forensic probe of the audio may prove pivotal for the legitimacy of the upcoming elections.

Source: The Tribune