HC notice to state on Mann’s plea

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 28

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today put the state on notice on a petition filed by SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann seeking quashing of FIRs registered against him after Sarbat Khalsa.

After preliminary hearing, Justice Ajay Tewari asked the state to file its reply to the contentions raised by Mann by January 18, the next date of hearing.

Mann was seeking directions for quashing the FIR at Chatiwind police station in Amritsar on November 12 for sedition and other offences under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.

Claiming implication, Mann counsel Ranjan Lakhanpal submitted he and others organised Sarbat Khalsa and passed resolutions, including “appointment” of Jagtar Singh Hawara as Akal Takht jathedar. He was also been accused of congratulating Hawara on social media for his appointment.

Lakhanpal submitted organising Sarbat Khalsa was matter of right for all Sikhs and it could not be dubbed as a crime. “No illegal activity was done over there. The FIR does not mention as to which resolution was illegal and what were the contents of the resolution.