Punjab court summons Congress chief in defamation case
Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 May, 2023 11:45 AM
Chandigarh, May 15 (IANS) A local court in Punjab's Sangrur has issued a notice to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in a Rs 100-crore defamation case filed against him for "objectionable" remarks against the Bajrang Dal.
The court of civil judge (senior division) Ramandeep Kaur has summoned Kharge on July 10.
Kharge compared the Bajrang Dal with the outlawed PFI in the Congress party's Karnataka Assembly poll manifesto.
Petitioner Hitesh Bhardwaj, the founder of Hindu Suraksha Parishad Bajrang Dal Hind, had filed the defamation case against Kharge for making defamatory remarks against Bajrang Dal during the recently-concluded Karnataka elections.
He said the Congress leader compared Bajrang Dal with anti-national organisations and also promised to ban it after coming to power in Karnataka.
Punjab has also been regularly featuring in the tableau parade showcasing the critical importance of this border state with its rich history, colourful and vibrant culture and pivotal point for defining events which shaped the history of the great nation.
In an expansion mode in Punjab, the party is set to launch a yatra against drugs and corruption in all the Lok Sabha constituencies. It has already got a shot in the arm with several leaders from other parties, including Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), coming onboard in the last few months.
The Chief Minister urged the industrialists to make optimum use of this congenial atmosphere backed by excellent infrastructure, power, skilled human resources and the best industrial and work culture to spread their business.
The police have also recovered a major portion of the loot from them even as the incident on Monday sent shockwaves in the glittering Zaveri Bazar area - the hub of gold jewellery business in south Mumbai.
As Bhagwanpuria's counsel Deepak Sharma said that there was danger to the life of his client, the Punjab Police said then keeping the threats in mind, they brought extra vehicles with armed police personnel for the safety of the accused.
According to the cause list uploaded on the apex court website, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and J.K. Maheshwari will pronounce the order on January 25. The apex court had reserved its order on Mishra's plea on January 19.
