Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, April 23: A ‘Bhajan Sandhya’ for senior citizens organized by the Central Government Pensioners’ Welfare Association (CGPWA) in collaboration with the Bharatiya Sangeet Sansthan (BSS) was held here today.
The evening featured 14 budding artists trained under the prestigious Guru-Shishya Parampara by renowned Hindustani classical maestro Vijay Kumar Sambyal, popularly known as ‘Rangeeley Thakur.’
The performance mesmerised the jampacked hall, blending melodious bhajans with deep classical foundations.
The president of CGPWA, Kuldeep Khoda presided, while Padam Shree awardee Dr Nirmal Vinod, Ashok Angurana, Dr Ashok Bhan, B R Sharma, Dr Sudarshan Kumar, K B Jandial, V K Sambyal, Prem Gupta, S S Bijral, Yoginder Kaul, Hemant Sharma and V K Padha were also present during the event.
The musical evening took off with the serene invocation “Vartaman Sundar Kar Lo, Prabhu May Jeevan Kar Nirbhaya Ho” presented by Vanshika, Asmi, Anika, Banat and Ragnya, setting a deeply devotional tone for the evening.
It was followed by two poignant bhajans by Tahyra and Tejasvi—“Bol Sachidanand Om Om” and “Yeh Khel Anokha Saara, Koi Samjhe Samjhan Haara”—which were appreciated for their depth and expression.
Uday and Davinder continued the musical journey with their engaging performances.
Ridhima Bajpai presented a soulful Dogri bhajan-“Mannua Neyi Kar Mera Mera, Ae Nagri Maya Nagri Ae, Itthe Rain Basera”, penned by Dr. Nirmal Vinod and composed by ‘Rangeeley Thakur’.
She also presented another heart touching bhajan “Jamuna Kinare Hove Gram, Braj Mein Ho Bisram”.
V K Sambyal ‘Rangeeley Thakur’ accompanied by Ridhima descended on the stage amidst huge applause and enthralled the audience through profound renditions, including “Sundar Samujhi Samujhi Pag Dhar Re, Uttam Raah Pakad Re” and “Panchhi Kai Din Ka Mehmaan, Soch Samajh Geh Gyaan”, written by noted lyricist of Rajasthan, late Kanh Singh.
A deeply philosophical bhajan encapsulating the essence of the Avdhoot Gita, “Jal Jaaye Jibhva Paap Ni Shri Raam Ke Bina” was a grand finale of the musical event resonating deep in the mind of the audience.
Kuldeep Khoda congratulated the young artists for their excellent performance.
Madhavi Sharma conducted the proceedings gracefully.

*Dismisses petition for suppression, imposes costs

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 23: Emphasising that a litigant must approach the court with clean hands, clean mind and complete candour and suppression of facts amounts to playing fraud upon the court, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has dismissed a writ petition as utterly misconceived and an abuse of the process of law, with Rs 50,000 costs.
Delivering judgment in a writ petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of India by three residents of Harnoo tehsil of Budgam district, Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal came down heavily on the petitioners for concealing crucial facts and attempting to secure relief through parallel proceedings.
The case arose from a challenge to an order dated March 24, 2026, passed by the Court of Sub-Judge/Special Mobile Magistrate, Budgam, directing the Tehsildar to implement an earlier order. However, during the hearing, it was brought to the notice of the High Court that the petitioners had already approached the same court seeking suspension of the order.
The trial court, after hearing both sides, had passed an order on April 6, 2026, directing that the impugned order shall not be executed till further orders and restraining the respondents from proceeding with its execution. Despite this development, the petitioners failed to disclose the order before the High Court.
Taking serious note, Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal observed, “once the execution of the impugned order already stood stayed by the court concerned, there was no occasion for the petitioners to invoke the supervisory jurisdiction of this court under Article 227 of the Constitution of India seeking quashment of the same order. The filing of the present petition, therefore, appears to be wholly unnecessary and misconceived”.
“The petitioners had not only suppressed the material fact of the stay order but had also concealed the filing and dismissal of an earlier writ petition on the same issue before a Coordinate Bench”, the High Court said and held that such suppression was deliberate and aimed at misleading the court to obtain interim relief.
Agreeing with the arguments of the respondents, the High Court ruled that the petition fell squarely within the realm of abuse of the process of the court as the grievance projected had already been redressed by the competent court.
“It is well settled that a litigant invoking the extraordinary jurisdiction of this court must come with clean hands, clean mind and complete candour and is under a bounden obligation to disclose all material facts which have a bearing on the adjudication of the case”, the High Court said, adding “suppression or concealment of material facts is not a mere irregularity, but amounts to playing fraud upon the court”.
It further held, “the duty to disclose is absolute and extends not only to facts which support the case of the party, but equally to those which are adverse to it. Any attempt to mislead the court strikes at the very root of the administration of justice and undermines the confidence reposed in judicial proceedings”.
The High Court also relied on the Supreme Court judgment in Auroville Foundation Vs Natasha Storey and earlier High Court rulings to reiterate that petitions involving suppression of facts are liable to be dismissed without going into merits.
Holding that the petitioners had indulged in concealment and attempted to overreach the judicial process, the High Court observed that a litigant who seeks to pollute the stream of justice is not entitled to any relief.
Declaring the petition as utterly misconceived and devoid of any merit, the High Court dismissed it and imposed costs of Rs 50,000, directing the petitioners to deposit the amount with the Registry within two weeks. The High Court further directed that the matter be listed on May 15, 2026, for compliance in case the costs are not deposited within the stipulated time.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 23: In a major relief to farmers, water has been released into the Kathua Canal following the successful completion of permanent restoration works, ensuring assured and uninterrupted irrigation supply across thousands of hectares.
The Kathua Canal, which originates from the Kashmir Canal at Chakunder Feeder in Jagatpur and irrigates a Culturable Command Area (CCA) of 8,463 hectares, had suffered extensive damage due to unprecedented floods in Sahar Khad and subsequent flooding in the River Ravi.
Following the damage, the authorities had carried out temporary restoration works, which were completed on October 7, 2025. This interim arrangement ensured irrigation for the last watering of standing Kharif crops and supported agricultural needs during the subsequent Rabi season, thereby providing immediate relief to the farming community.
Subsequently, the Jal Shakti (Irrigation & Flood Control) Department undertook sustained efforts to execute permanent restoration works. These included strengthening of damaged embankments and protection works of the siphon during the canal closure period to fully stabilise the canal system.
With the completion of these works, the canal is now fully operational and capable of functioning at its designed capacity. This will ensure reliable irrigation supply, particularly during the crucial Kharif season when water demand peaks.
The timely restoration has averted potential disruptions to agricultural activities and will enable farmers to plan their cropping operations with confidence and without uncertainty.
The achievement has been credited to the concerted efforts of the Jal Shakti (I&FC) Department, Jammu, under the guidance of Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana and Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Shaleen Kabra.