In a significant legal development, a district court in Chandigarh has taken strict action against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal in a long-pending defamation case. The court cancelled his bail and issued a non-bailable warrant against the former Punjab deputy chief minister after he failed to appear for a hearing.
Court's Stern Order After Absence
The order was passed on Wednesday by the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Rahul Garg. The case is based on a complaint filed back in 2017 by Rajinder Pal Singh, a Mohali resident and spokesperson for the religious organisation Akhand Kirtani Jatha. The court was hearing the complaint registered under Section 499 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Advocate P I P Singh, representing the complainant, stated that Badal remained absent during the proceedings. This prompted the magistrate to not only cancel the bail previously granted to the political leader but also to issue a non-bailable warrant for his arrest. The court has now scheduled the next hearing for January 9, 2026.
The judicial magistrate further cautioned that stricter orders could be passed if Sukhbir Badal fails to appear before the court on the next date. This escalation underscores the court's insistence on compliance with its summons.
Roots of the Defamation Allegation
The origins of this legal battle trace back to January 4, 2017. On that day, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the residence of complainant Rajinder Pal Singh in Delhi. Following this meeting, Sukhbir Badal allegedly made remarks to media channels that form the core of the defamation complaint.
The complainant has alleged that Badal, in his statements, claimed the Akhand Kirtani Jatha was a political front of the banned terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). These remarks were widely published in newspapers and broadcast on various television channels.
According to the petition filed by Rajinder Pal Singh, these statements caused serious damage to the reputation and social standing of the religious organisation. The complaint cites a specific statement attributed to Badal, where he allegedly told the media, "…Kejriwal comes to Punjab and starts liaising with radicals. The day before yesterday he was having breakfast with Akhand Kirtani Jatha which is a political front of Babbar Khalsa International, which is the biggest terrorist organisation…"
Legal Implications and Next Steps
The issuance of a non-bailable warrant is a serious legal step, compelling the accused to be presented before the court, often in custody. The cancellation of bail means Badal loses the privilege of remaining out of custody while the trial continues, pending his appearance and a fresh bail plea.
With the next hearing set for early 2026, the pressure is now on the SAD chief to secure legal recourse to get the warrant recalled and seek bail again. The case highlights the prolonged nature of legal proceedings in India, as this defamation matter has been ongoing for over eight years.
The development marks a critical juncture in this case, putting the spotlight on the accountability of public figures for their statements and the legal consequences of skipping court hearings.
