HC dismisses petition challenging trial court’s order on Sukhpal Khaira

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 17

A month after Fazilka Additional Sessions Judge summoned Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Sukhpal Singh Khaira to face trial as an additional accused in a drugs case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday dismissed a petition challenging the order.

Pronouncing the verdict after hearing in the matter, Justice AB Chaudhari also quashed the non-bailable warrants issued against Khaira and asked the trial court to decide the matter on merit.

Khaira’s counsel had earlier dubbed the matter as a “classic instance of political vendetta”. It was alleged that every attempt was being made to rope Khaira in as an accused with the solitary purpose to tarnish his reputation and public perception.

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Khaira was summoned as an additional accused in the case FIR dated March 5, 2015, registered at Sadar police station in Jalalabad.

Describing himself as a two-time MLA and a “fearless politician and crusader against the various evils often indulged into by the ruling party of the state”, Khaira had claimed raising his voice against the drug mafia, mining mafia, corruption and other ailments affecting Punjab for the past decade.

He asserted that he was currently the Leader of Opposition in Punjab on account of his clean and bold image. Seeking the setting aside of the order dated October 31, he said it was passed by the court after the trial with regard to the accused facing trial.

Khaira said there was no substantive evidence available with the court to summon the petitioner as an accused.  

Following the court's rejection of  Khaira's petition seeking quashing of his summoning by a Fazilka court, Khaira said he would file a review petition or move the Supreme Court. "The court has asked me to face trial in Fazilka. I have legal recourse like filing a review petition or moving the Supreme Court."