Court orders framing of charges against Punjab CM

Ropar, Mar 9 (UNI) A local court today ordered framing of charges against Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his family members and seven other accused in a disproportionate assets case.

Besides Mr Badal, his other family members against whom charges are to be framed include his MP son and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) general secretary Sukhbir Singh Badal and his wife, Surinder Kaur Badal.

Special Judge S S Saran, while hearing the case, ordered framing of charges under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The case was filed by the state Vigilance Bureau, after probing the corruption charges leveled against the Badals and others. The probe was ordered by former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh after he assumed power in the state in 2002.

Mr Badal had filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court against the hearing of the case. The apex court had however dismissed the SLP, after which the trial in the Ropar Court commenced in January this year.

The Court has summoned Mr Badal, his son and wife to appear before it on March 13, so that the charge sheet can be handed over to them. On the orders of the court, the charge sheet was handed over to six of the other seven accused who were present in the court.

UNI