The Honorary Secretary of the Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association has issued an office order raising serious allegations against the Association’s President and Treasurer, citing procedural irregularities, abuse of authority, and mala fide conduct in administrative and financial matters.

The order states that the Treasurer had earlier been issued a show cause notice for processing and passing bills without mandatory approval of the Purchase Committee, in violation of governing rules. Instead of addressing the irregularities, it is alleged that responsibility was shifted onto subordinate staff and unsubstantiated claims were made regarding alteration of records.

Further, the Secretary has questioned the reliance on a handwritten and unsigned “report”, which was not part of official records, lacked a dispatch number, and was allegedly used to justify actions retrospectively. The document has been termed a prima facie fabricated record.

The order also records allegations of coercion in release of cheques, with a Superintendent reportedly stating that payments were made on the President’s directions under threat of termination, suggesting abuse of authority and bypassing of established approval mechanisms.

Additionally, the Secretary has flagged unilateral decisions overriding Executive Committee resolutions, including termination and non-renewal of employees despite majority support within the Committee, terming such actions contrary to collective decision-making.

Importantly, the office order dated February 28, 2026, issued by the President has been declared without jurisdiction, arbitrary, and legally unsustainable, with the Secretary asserting that disciplinary powers vest only with the competent authority.

Citing findings of mala fide exercise of power, institutional bias, and colourable exercise of authority, the Secretary has directed that all financial records remain safeguarded and subject to scrutiny. The order also calls for an independent and impartial inquiry to ascertain accountability, while reiterating the commitment to transparency, institutional integrity, and adherence to the rule of law within the Association.