HC refuses early hearing on the petition against the appointment of Keshni Anand Arora, said- hearing will be held on the fixed date only

In the case of Keshni Anand Arora, the High Court has issued notice to many people including the Haryana government. There was a demand to start the hearing in this case soon. On which the court said that the hearing will be held on the fixed date only. On the matter, the petitioner told that his tenure was ending on 12 January 2024. But he was given an extension till the appointment of a new chairperson.

The High Court has refused to hear the petition against the appointment of Keshni Anand Arora as the Chairperson of Haryana Water Resources Authority.

High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikas Suri rejected the plea for early hearing and said that the matter will be heard on the scheduled date only.

In this case, the High Court has issued notice to the Haryana government and other respondents and sought their reply.

Filing the petition, Sangrur resident Vikram Sharma told the High Court that the Haryana Water Resources Authority was constituted in 2020 and then Keshni Anand Arora was made the chairperson.

What is the matter
The petitioner said that his tenure was ending on January 12, 2024. But he was given an extension till the appointment of a new chairperson.

A selection committee headed by the Chief Secretary is formed for the selection of the post of chairperson. Also, the irrigation department has to write to the selection committee to fill the post, but the department itself issued an advertisement for the selection of chairperson and members.

The last date for application was January 20 and as soon as the petition was filed in the High Court, the full advertisement was uploaded on the website on January 18 (two days before the last date). This was done to reduce competition for Keshni Anand Arora.

Chairperson elected in February

He was elected chairperson in February. The selection committee was also formed to mislead the court after the petition was filed in the High Court.

The petitioner said that there is no provision for giving extension to the chairperson and as per the prescribed rule, in the absence of the chairperson, one of the selected members can preside over the meeting.