Chandigarh, Oct. 16 -- The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday set aside the Centre's refusal to grant political clearance for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's visit to France, rejecting the government's objections over intelligence inputs warning of threats from extremist groups operating abroad and difficulties in providing security at a crowded international trade exhibition.
The ruling came on a petition filed by the Punjab government challenging the Ministry of External Affairs' decision to deny clearance for Mann to lead a state delegation to the SIAL Paris 2026 international food exhibition.
The Centre opposed the visit on security grounds, citing intelligence inputs suggesting a threat to the Chief Minister from extremist...