Charges framed against Sukhbir in media assault case

Faridkot, Jan 15 (UNI) Charges in a media assault case were today framed against SAD general secretary and MP Sukhbir Singh Badal and Akali leader Raj Lahoria Kotkapura after they appeared in a local court today.

Judicial Magistrate Faridkot, J S Chauhan, has fixed April 30 as the next date of recording the evidence in the case slapped by press photographer Ajay Verma.

Mr Badal appeared in the court at the instance of Punjab and Haryana High Court on alleged charge of assault and snatching of camera from the complainant on September 5, 1999 during Lok Sabha election.

The case was registered against the Akali leaders on June 15, 2006 under sections 392, 201 and 323 IPC.

Interestingly, the case was also inquired into by the Inspector General Crime, Punjab who stated that no case was made out against Mr Badal as all the four persons cited by the complainant had denied witnessing any such incident.

UNI