Charges in disproportionate asset case framed against Badal's

Ropar, Mar 13 (UNI) The Special Court today framed charges against Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his wife Surinder Kaur and son Sukhbir Singh Badal in the Rs 78 crore disproportionate assets case.

While framing the charges, the court adjourned the case for April nine and ten.

Special Judge G S Saran directed the prosecution witness to appear before it for recording of evidences on the next date of hearing.

The Chief Minister, his wife and son Sukhbir Badal, who is the MP from Faridkot, signed the chargesheet which was handed out to them before the judge. Each of them signed the charge sheet after reading through it and pleaded not guilty in the case.

Charges were also framed against another accused Gurinder Singh Grewal.

The Judge, had on March 9, directed that the charges under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC be framed against Mr Badal, his wife and son and seven others in the case.

At the the last hearing, charges in the case were framed against Naratom Singh Dhillon, Nirpjit Singh, Pavittar Singh, Darshan Singh, Harbans Lal and Jagnandan Singh.

As the Badal family were not present in the court at the last hearing, they were directed to appear before the special court today.

(Eds: pls pick up suitably from earlier series).

UNI