Synopsis
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted interim protection to Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, prohibiting the Punjab government from taking coercive action against him until April 22. This follows Bajwa's plea to quash an FIR related to his comments about bomb threats in the state.Key Takeaways
- High Court's interim order prohibits coercive action against Bajwa.
- Bajwa claims 50 bombs were smuggled into Punjab.
- Chief Minister warns against fear-mongering politics.
- Bajwa seeks to quash FIR for allegedly spreading false information.
- High Court seeks government response by April 22.
Chandigarh, April 16 (NationPress) The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued an interim ruling on Wednesday, directing the Punjab government to refrain from taking any "coercive" measures against the Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa until April 22.
The court also requested the government’s response regarding Congress legislator Bajwa’s petition to annul the first information report (FIR) filed against him for allegedly disseminating misleading information that threatens the nation's sovereignty and unity.
A vacation bench led by Justice Deepak Gupta, while issuing a notice to be addressed by April 22, stated that "no coercive" action should be taken against the petitioner until the next hearing date.
Bajwa approached the High Court on Tuesday, seeking to dismiss the FIR. He reportedly claimed during a news channel interview that "50 bombs had been smuggled into the state, with 18 having detonated and 32 still unaccounted for".
According to the petition, Bajwa was questioned on a television program aired on April 13 about the recent decline in law and order in Punjab, which has been marked by bomb blasts at various locations over the last six months, including an incident at the residence of a BJP leader and former Cabinet Minister.
In response to the inquiry, Bajwa detailed the incidents and alleged that the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government appears to be neglecting intelligence efforts, as they failed to locate the remaining grenades purportedly smuggled into India.
The petition requests the annulment of the FIR along with any subsequent legal actions stemming from it.
Bajwa has been charged by the Cyber Crime Police Station in Mohali under Sections 197 (1) (d) and 353 (2), which pertain to spreading false information that could endanger national sovereignty and unity, according to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Chief Minister Mann warned opposition leaders on Monday against engaging in politics that incites fear and division, asserting that the public would not tolerate such behavior. He criticized a senior Congress leader for making a baseless and irrational statement about the bombs, claiming it was solely intended to instill terror and panic among the populace.
Mann emphasized that such statements are unacceptable, unwarranted, and undesirable, noting that the people of the state would not forgive such leaders. He also mentioned that neither state nor central agencies have any intelligence on this matter, yet the Congress leader made this unfounded and irrelevant claim.
