After two nights, Sidhu is out of prison

Patiala, Jan 13 (UNI) Navjot Singh Sidhu, the former BJP MP and star campaigner of SAD-BJP alliance for Punjab assembly elections, was today released from the Central Jail after spending two nights in prison.

A large number of BJP activists and well wishers of the cricketer-turned-politician greeted him as he emerged from the main entrance of the prison. Slogans of 'Sidhu zidabad' rent the air, as the BJP leader waved to his supporters.

His friend Rupinder Singh Sandhu was also released from jail.

Both had been convicted of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a 19-year old road-rage case.

The Supreme Court had yesterday granted bail to Sidhu and Sandhu in the case. On Thursday, after the two had surrendered before the High Court at Chandigarh, they were directed to appear before the Chandigarh Chief Judicial Magistrate, who had executed their bail bond of December 8.

The CJM refused to extend their bail and sent them to judicial custody to Patiala jail.

Lawyers for Sidhu today presented the apex courts release orders to the Jail Superintedent, who ordered their release.

UNI