Badals case: HC notice to Punjab on cops’ plea against lower court order

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday issued notices to Punjab asking it to explain why perjury charges initiated by a lower court against B K Uppal and Surinder Pal Singh shall not be stayed. Uppal,an Inspector General of Police-rank officer,and Surinder Pal Singh,investigating officer in the corruption case against Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal,had moved the High Court against the orders of the Mohali court,which had,while acquitting Badal and his family members,held the two officers liable for committing perjury.

Justice Rajan Gupta has issued notices to the state asking it to respond within four weeks. On the last date of hearing,Justice Gupta had raised eyebrows on the stand taken by the Punjab government which had submitted that the corruption case against Badals was false. Appearing on behalf of Uppal,senior advocate R S Cheema had contended that the stand was contrary to the findings of the trial court,which clearly said the case fell flat due to poor investigation.

Surinder Pal and Uppal had filed two separate petitions challenging the judgment of the Mohali court. Uppal had stood by the investigation,stating that the prosecution ignored crucial evidence.