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Journalism of Courage
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday put the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the Punjab government and agriculture minister Tota Singh on notice on a petition seeking removal of Tota Singh as cabinet minster because of his earlier conviction in a corruption case, pending probe in pesticide scam in his ministry.
The division bench headed by Justice SK Mittal was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Sukhjeet Singh of Moga who was elected as member of Shromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) in 2004 and 2011. The petitioner has also sought independent investigation into recent insecticides scandal in the Punjab agriculture department.
Appearing for the petitioner, advocate HC Arora informed the court that Tota Singh was convicted on May 5, 2012, on charges of corruption, under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, pertaining to misuse of a car belonging to the Punjab School Education Board, and was sentenced to one yea’’s rigorous imprisonment. It was added that subsequently, Total Singh’s remaining period of sentence was suspended by the High Court and he was released on bail.
The court was informed that it was surprising that Tota Singh had resigned from the cabinet after his conviction but was taken back as a cabinet minister after about an year. The case will come up for hearing on January 22.
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