SC declines to stay proceedings against Punjab CM

SC declines to stay proceedings against Punjab CM The Supreme Court today declined to stay proceedings in corruption cases against Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his family members but issued notices to them on a petition filed by his predecessor Amarinder Singh seeking a fair trial outside the state. "We are not staying the proceedings (before a court) in Punjab," a Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishan said and sought reply from Badal family on the allegation by former Chief Minister that the trial was not being held in free and fair manner in the state. The cases against Badal, his wife and son were registered in 2003 by the previous Congress-led government headed by Singh. Senior advocate T R Andhyarujina, appearing for Singh, alleged that after Badal became the Chief Minister there has been total subversion of justice and the atmosphere has been such that witnesses are turning hostile. He said after the Badal government came to power, several public prosecutors were changed and out of the 59 witnesses examined 20, majority of whom were government officials, turned hostile. The prosecution moved the application for examination of investigating officer and for recording the statement of the accused person which is the penultimate stage of trial. However, senior advocate K K Venugopal and Arun Jaitley, appearing for the Badal family, said Singh had made the allegation due to political considerations. They said that district public prosecutor remains the same who was appointed by the previous government. Venugopal said there was no reason for Singh to seek transfer of the case outside the state and alleged that the former Chief Minister in 2002 had taken the home portfolio and appointed one special judge for all cases in Ropar. After a brief hearing, the court posted the matter for hearing on 2nd May.

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