The Punjab government today moved the Punjab and Haryana High court, challenging a single-bench order that set aside the appointment of Suresh Kumar as the Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. Punjab Advocate General Atul Nanda confirmed the single- bench order quashing Kumar's appointment had been challenged with a double bench. On January 17, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had set aside the appointment of Suresh Kumar, saying the retired IAS officer was holding public office "without authority of law". Petitioner Ramandeep Singh, a Mohali resident, had moved the high court last year, claiming Kumar's appointment was against the constitutional scheme and accepted norms. Kumar, considered close to Amarinder Singh, was appointed after the Congress came to power in the state last March.
The post of chief principal secretary was specially created for the retired IAS officer, the petitioner had said. Kumar, a 1983-batch officer, retired in 2016 as additional chief secretary. He had served at many positions in the state as well as at the Centre on deputation. Kumar had also served as principal secretary to the chief minister during Amarinder Singh's previous tenure of 2002- 2007.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)