The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday asked Punjab Government if it was appropriate for Punjab Tourism, Cultural Affairs and Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu to appear on a television show.
A division Bench of Justices SS Saron and Darshan Singh, however, did not issue notice of motion to the state government and other respondents in the case. The high court court was hearing a PIL filed by advocate HC Arora against Sidhu's appearance on ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’.
When the case came up for preliminary hearing this afternoon, the Bench observed that the dispute over Sidhu’s continued appearance on television despite his position involved two aspects: legal and moral.
Arora suggested that the question should be put before the Punjab’s Advocate-General Atul Nanda, who was present in the courtroom, for his opinion.
When court asked Nanda for his opinion on whether propriety allowed a minister to appear on a television show, the advocate-general told the court he would only argue on legal issues.
“I am here to defend the State Government on legal issues only” said Nanda.
The court will now hear the case on May 11.
The petition says it is inappropriate for a Cabinet minister to appear on a television show, citing a Full Bench judgment of Andhra Pradesh High Court that said a chief minister could not act in films.
The court had said the rule also applied to ministers, Arora said.
Arora said Sidhu’s position as culture minister — under which entertainment comes — could also give rise to a “conflict of interest”.
The petition argues that a minister is bound by Rule 15 of the Punjab Government Employees Conduct Rules, 1966, which forbids a government employee from engaging in private trade or business.
