High Court Asks Punjab Govt Not To Harass Congress MLA Pratap Singh Bajwa On Pretext Of Investigation Over “Active Bombs”Remark

The Punjab & Haryana High Court on Tuesday (May 13) asked Punjab Government authorities to not to harass Congress MLA and State's Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa in the name of investigation.Bajwa was booked in an FIR for making allegedly remarking on a TV show that “50 bombs have reached Punjab”.Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya directed to ensure that the Bajwa is "not unnecessarily harassed in the name of investigation, which shall be carried out strictly as per the procedure laid down."Senior counsel appearing for Bajwa submitted that he has been asked to disclose details of the mobile phones used by him in last two years, including details of SIM cards/numbers etc. used during that period. The deadline for submitting the required information was set for noon on 11.05.2025. Not only the time allowed to furnish the details was too short, the same were extraneous to the allegations levelled against him, he added.Senior counsel appearing for the State Government contended that information sought is relevant to the case, and required for the purpose of investigation.Recently, Bajwa has moved the High Court seeking quashing of FIR filed against him for charges including misleading information that endangers the country's sovereignty and unity.Bajwa allegedly said on a TV show that “50 bombs have reached Punjab”.Bajwa is booked under Sections 353 (2) and 197 (1) (d) (Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) of the BNS allegedly on the basis of the statement given on the show.Section 353(2) states that whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement or report containing false information, rumour or alarming news, with intent to create or promote, or which is likely to create or promote, on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community or any other ground whatsoever, feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.While asking the State to file a detailed response, the Court adjourned the matter to May 22.Mr. A.P. S. Deol, Senior Advocate with Mr. Himmat Singh Deol, Advocate, Mr. Arshdeep Singh Cheema, Advocate, Mr. Vishal Lamba, Advocate for the applicant-petitioner.Mr. Rakesh Nehra, Senior Advocate with Mr. Maninderjit Singh Bedi, Advocate General, Punjab; Mr. Deepender Singh Brar, Additional Advocate General, Punjab,Mr. Maninder Singh Gardha, Additional Advocate General, Punjab with Mr. Ferry Sofat, Advocate for the respondents.Title: PARTAP SINGH BAJWA VS STATE OF PUNJAB AND ORSClick here to read/download the order

High Court Asks Punjab Govt Not To Harass Congress MLA Pratap Singh Bajwa On Pretext Of Investigation Over “Active Bombs”Remark

Aiman J. Chishti

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