The Punjab and Haryana High Court today raised eyebrows over the stand taken by the Punjab government in terming the corruption case registered against the Badals as false. Reserving verdict over the petitions separately filed by Inspector General of Police BK Uppal and Surinder Pal Singh,investigating officer of the case in the corruption trial against Parkash Singh Badal,Chief Minister of Punjab,Justice Gupta observed that it is the case of the state which failed and that it (state) should not be concerned with personalities. The court remarked that the state should have ensured that its case did not fail. On the other hand,senior advocate RS Cheema,appearing on behalf of Uppal,raised significant questions defending Uppal,who has been charged with perjury by a Mohali Court while acquitting the Badals. Cheema averred that the Court has to examine as to whether the accused in the case were acquitted due to failure of investigation,failure of prosecution or improper handling of the case by the prosecuting agency. Reading out the trial Courts verdict,Cheema contended that the stand of the Punjab government that the case against Badals is false is contrary to the findings of the trial Court which clearly states that the case fell flat due to poor investigation. On the other hand,appearing on behalf of the Punjab government,its law officer assured the Court that the judgment given by the trial Court against the two officers will be taken to its logical conclusion and shall be implemented in letter and spirit. Meanwhile,a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Augustine George Masih today dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging acquittal of Badals in the corruption case. The PIL was filed by Simranjit Singh Mann,former Member Parliament and Chief of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD),Amritsar.
