Chandigarh, Feb 16: A local court on Monday approved an application from Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal seeking exemption from a scheduled appearance in a defamation case. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate adjourned the legal proceedings until February 27 following the request from the former Deputy Chief Minister.
The exemption plea, submitted by legal counsel Rajesh Kumar Rai, stated that the leader was required to preside over a significant party gathering at Badal village. The defense maintained that the presence of the SAD chief was indispensable as senior leadership and dignitaries met to deliberate on various pressing issues affecting Punjab.
The legal challenge dates back to January 2017, when Rajinder Pal Singh, spokesperson for the Akhand Kirtani Jatha, initiated the defamation suit. The complaint followed a public statement by Badal in which he allegedly characterized the religious organization as the political wing of a militant group. These remarks were made after Singh met with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Badal, who had previously been granted bail after the court issued a non-bailable warrant for prior absences, affirmed through his counsel that he will attend the next hearing. The application declared that numerous participants from various regions were traveling for the political meeting, making his leadership at the event a priority for the day.
