Chandigarh, Jan. 10 -- The Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday directed the Punjab chief secretary to file an affidavit by January 15 detailing whether prosecution sanctions in the irrigation scam against accused persons have been accorded or rejected by the government.

While passing the order the bench of chief justice Sheel Nagu and justice Neerja Kulwant Kalson warned that in case of failure the court may take "coercive steps against the functionaries of the state".

The direction came on an application filed by one Harmeet Kumar of Bathinda, who had sought recall of the high court's July 14, 2021, order by which a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by him in connection with the irrigation scam was disposed of. The application...