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Punjab Court Draws Line: CM Bhagwant Mann's No-Show Streak in Defamation Case Nears Breaking Point
In a sharp rebuke from the , Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been put on notice. On , ACJM Rajinder Singh Nagpal granted a one-time but issued a stern warning: fail to show up at the next hearing on , and Mann's bail will be canceled with to follow. This procedural showdown underscores frustrations in a long-running case that has simmered since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
From AAP MLA to Switch: The Spark of Defamation Allegations
The case traces back to
, when
MLA from Mansa, Nazar Singh Manshahia, defected to the
. Two days later, then-Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann held a press conference, accusing Manshahia of switching parties for a Rs 10 crore bribe and the promise of chairmanship at the
. Manshahia dismissed the claims as
"completely baseless and politically motivated,"
demanding proof or an apology. With no response forthcoming, he filed a criminal complaint on
, against Mann and several media outlets that aired the statements.
Over the years, proceedings against most co-accused— including Gurpreet Singh Thind, Swaraj Bir Singh, Parvesh Sharma, and Rajesh Manchanadran—were quashed by the on . Accused No. 4 J.B. Singla is a , No. 9 Sarad Saxena's after his death in 2022, leaving Mann as the primary focus.
A Pattern of Absences: Court Calls Out "Conduct and Attitude"
Mann last appeared in person on , when he secured bail. Since then, repeated exemption pleas—often citing vague "important meetings" like one in Chandigarh—have stalled the trial. The court previously rejected a video conference request. On the latest date, Mann's counsel again sought exemption and permission under , to have accusations read to him via counsel.
ACJM Nagpal, while allowing the exemption "for today only," didn't mince words on the delays' impact.
Key Observations
"Perusal of the file clearly shows that since 20.10.2022 the above said accused has not appeared even once for proceedings due to which further proceedings could not be conducted in this case."
"However, today again exemption application has been filed on behalf of said accused on vague ground, similar to his earlier exemption applications which clearly shows his conduct and attitude towards the Court’s proceedings."
"The Counsel for the accused is directed to procure presence of accused Bhagwant Mann on the next date of hearing, failing which, his bail order shall be canceled and coercive method will be adopted to ensure his presence before this Court."
These excerpts highlight the court's exasperation, prioritizing trial progress over executive excuses.
Balancing Duty and Demands: No Detailed Arguments, But Clear Procedural Stakes
The judgment focuses on procedural compliance rather than substantive merits. Manshahia's side has pushed for Mann's presence to advance the trial, frustrated by over three years of inaction. Mann's defense, through advocates like , leans on exemptions tied to official duties, but the court views them as evasive. The pending Section 273 application—reply due May 1—could allow proxy handling of accusations if approved, but personal appearance remains non-negotiable for now.
No precedents are cited in this , as it hinges on basic criminal procedure principles: accused must attend unless exempted, and persistent avoidance invites sanctions.
Ultimatum Issued: Bail on the Line, Trial Momentum Builds
The court's final directives are unambiguous. Exemptions for other accused like R.S. Jolly and Naresh Kumar were granted for the day, but Mann bears the spotlight. Reply to the Section 273 plea is set for the next hearing.
This order signals no special treatment for high office amid judicial duties. For Mann, it's a wake-up call; for the case, a potential restart. Future implications? It reinforces that even chief ministers can't indefinitely dodge court dates in criminal matters, potentially setting a tone for similar political defamation suits where proceedings drag due to status.
As Mansa court watches closely, all eyes turn to May 1.
