SC defers hearing of petition in Badal's case to May 14

New Delhi, May 2 (UNI) The Supreme Court today adjourned till May 14 the hearing of a petition filed by former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh seeking transfer of corruption case against Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from Punjab to Delhi.

A bench, comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices R V Raveendran and M K Sharma adjourned the hearing after counsel for the petitioner contended that all prosecution witnesses in the case, most of whom were government officers, had turned hostile and free and fair trial was not possible in the intimidating atmosphere created by the State government in the courtroom in Sangrur district of Punjab.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Badal and his family members including his son Sukhbir Singh Badal are facing trial for acquiring assets disproportionate to their known sources of income through corrupt means by misusing his status as Chief Minister of state.

The petitioner is also seeking stay of the trial till the final disposal of his transfer petition.

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