Only Guv can sanction prosecution: Badal’s counsel

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, February 16

A year after the state Home Department gave its nod to prosecute SAD chief and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal and others in the Kotkapura police firing case under Section 197 of the CrPC (permission for launching prosecution against public servant), Sukhbir’s counsel stated that the Home Department was not the appropriate authority to grant sanction for prosecution of former Deputy CM.

While demanding dropping of charges against Sukhbir, his counsel said only the Governor had the right to grant sanction.

The Home Department had given sanction to prosecute Sukhbir, former DGP Sumedh Singh Saini, IGP Paramraj Singh Umranangal, then DIG Amar Singh Chahal, then Faridkot SSP Sukhmander Singh Mann and former SSP Charanjit Singh Sharma in an FIR registered in 2018.

During the framing of charges, Maan, Sharma and Umaranangal moved applications for dropping the proceedings against them for want of sanctions under Section 132 of the CrPC which provide protection against prosecution for acts done under official duty. The court has already directed the prosecution to file reply to the application moved by Umranangal.

The FIR was registered on the recommendation of Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) commission report that probed the firing incident.

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