Bathinda: The Punjab and Haryana high court has quashed the termination orders of Shiromani Akali Dal’ women wing (Istri Akali Dal) president Hargobind Kaur as an anganwadi worker and ordered that she be taken back in service.Muktsar child development and panchayat officer (CDPO) sacked Kaur on June 19, 2024, over her alleged involvement in political activities during the model code of conduct ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and for availing excess leave. Her appeal against the orders was dismissed on Nov 19, 2024.Justice Sandeep Moudgil in his Aug 17 order, uploaded on Thursday, said the respondents failed to demonstrate the legal source of the power under which the CDPO terminated the petitioner’s services or the manner in which the mandatory disciplinary procedure preceding such termination was complied with. The HC ordered the petitioner be taken back in service along with consequential benefits, which shall carry interest at the rate of 6% per annum and be released within a period of eight weeks.Then acting as Punjab Anganwadi Workers Union president, Hargobind Kaur was appointed as Istri Akali Dal president on July 15, 2023. She was enrolled as an anganwadi worker at Chak Kala Singh Wala village, Muktsar, under the Integrated Child Development Services and had been serving since Nov 16, 1990.
