The Punjab government has failed to comply with the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court which had asked the state to deposit Rs 1 crore as compensation to five persons (Rs 20 lakh each) who were wrongly awarded life imprisonment for murdering a man who later turned out to be alive. In its orders dated September 23, the court had given a one month’s time (applicable from the date of passing of orders) to the government to deposit the amount with the registrar of the HC. Sources said the state government is yet to decide whether to challenge the decision of the HC division bench in the Supreme Court or award the compensation. There is a deadline of 30 days for filing an appeal too, but that applies from the date of receipt of orders.

The state chief secretary and home secretary claimed that they knew nothing about the compensation orders. “I don’t know about the case, I never received any such file. It is possible that the home department might have deposited the amount without informing me,” Chief Secretary S C Aggarwal told The Indian Express .

Home Secretary A R Talwar said, “I haven’t yet received the orders from the High Court. I think the amount is payable within 30 days of the receipt of the order; I had read about such an order in newspapers. I will have to check whether my department has received any such orders. It is quite possible that the money may have been deposited.”

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