The Supreme Court on Friday rejected the Punjab government’s appeal challenging the quashing of a First Information Report (FIR) against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal. The court, led by Justices AS Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, questioned the basis for the appeal, expressing doubt about the authenticity of the criminal case against Badal.
The bench scrutinized the lack of evidence supporting the FIR’s allegations and questioned the need for the state government to appeal. The court remarked on the absence of elements like Section 270 of the IPC (malignant acts leading to the spread of diseases dangerous to life) or Section 341 (wrongful restraint) in the FIR, concluding that no such offenses were evident.
The June 2021 FIR, filed by a mining company, accused Badal and SAD members of threatening staff, obstructing legal mining operations, and violating COVID-19 protocols. Badal, claiming political motivation, sought the quashing of the FIR, asserting no grounds for prosecution. The Punjab and Haryana High Court, in August 2023, nullified the FIR, citing a lack of evidence for the alleged offenses. The Supreme Court, echoing this stance, dismissed the state government’s appeal, emphasizing no interference was warranted in the high court’s order.”
