Bathinda: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann appeared before a district court via video link on Wednesday to face a criminal defamation suit, following an interim intervention by the high court that stayed threats to cancel his bail.
The appearance before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) in Mansa comes after weeks of legal sparring over whether the CM was required to attend the proceedings in person. After Mann's virtual appearance, the court adjourned the matter until July 20 for arguments.
Former legislator Nazar Singh Manshahia brought the defamation suit. The virtual hearing took place after Mann successfully petitioned the Punjab and Haryana High Court on May 12 to overturn a series of lower court mandates.
Background of the Case
The Mansa court had rejected Mann's initial request for a virtual appearance on April 23. Subsequent orders on April 28 and May 1 directed his legal counsel to secure his physical presence by May 20, warning that the court would cancel his bail otherwise and use coercive measures to force his attendance.
High Court Intervention
In his high court appeal, Mann cited regional judicial rules governing videoconferencing, arguing that courts possess the authority to frame criminal charges virtually. Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya granted Mann interim relief, permitting him to appear via video link for all future hearings unless he files a prior exemption. The high court also stayed the lower court's threat to cancel Mann's bail.
The high court issued a notice of motion to Manshahia, returnable on May 25. Manshahia and his legal counsel, Rajinder Parshad Sharma, confirmed receipt of the notice and stated they intended to file a reply by the Monday deadline.
This case highlights the ongoing legal complexities surrounding the use of virtual court appearances, especially for high-profile personalities. The next hearing is scheduled for July 20, where arguments will be presented.
