The Patna High Court dismisses the Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s complaint for violating the electoral rules

Navjot Singh Sidhu, a former cricket player turned politician, is relieved that the Patna High Court has dismissed the case against him for violating the model code of conduct during the 2019 general elections.

In his appeal to the high court, Sidhu had contested an October 12, 2020, ruling from the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in the Katihar district, which had taken notice of a formal complaint against him filed at the Barsoi police station during the most recent Lok Sabha elections.

The charge was filed in relation to a statement made by Sidhu during an election rally under several provisions of the IPC and the Representation of the People Act.

In a December 19 ruling, Judge Sandeep Kumar declared that the petitioner had received a summons “without application of mind” and that the lower court had “mechanically” made the contested judgment.

Thus, the application is accepted. As a result, the court decided to revoke both the petitioner’s entire prosecution and the cognizance order.