Take up Aman Arora case hearing on January 24, Punjab and Haryana High Court tells trial court

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 19

Less than a month after Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora was convicted in a house-trespass case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the trial court to hear arguments of the accused and the complainant on the stay on conviction on January 24 in accordance with law.

The direction by Justice Anoop Chitkara came on a petition against the State of Punjab and other respondents filed by complainant Rajinder Deepa for quashing order dated January 15 passed by the Sangrur Sessions Judge.

Justice Chitkara observed the respondent stood convicted and sentenced on December 21, 2023, on a complaint filed by the petitioner. Challenging the judgment, the respondent filed an appeal along with an application for the suspension of the sentence and stay on conviction, which came up for hearing before the appellate court.

Justice Chitkara also took note of the contentions of the petitioner’s counsel that they wanted to file reply and argue the matter. But the appellate court was in a hurry and did not grant enough time to them to argue the matter.

The state counsel, on the other hand, submitted that the respondent was a Cabinet Minister. As such, he was seeking stay on the conviction. They had no objection if the petitioner was permitted to argue the matter on any day till January 24. Justice Chitkara observed the counsel for the parties had arrived at a consensus to argue the matter before the appellate court on January 24.

“The trial court to adjourn the case for January 24 and hear the arguments on the point of suspension of sentence and stay of conviction on January 24 in accordance with law. It is clarified that if the petitioner-complainant seeks an adjournment, the conviction shall stand stayed automatically till the adjourned date before the appellate court. Similarly, the state is directed not to seek any adjournment and the respondent is also requested not to seek adjournment,” Justice Chitkara asserted.

Deepa was represented by advocates RK Handa, GPS Bal, Gauri Handa, Vidul Kapoor, Dharamvir Bhargav and Kulwinder Bharga.

On the other hand, senior advocate RS Cheema with counsel AS Cheema, SS Narula and Sumanjit Kaur appeared for the respondent.

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