The Hindu : Bhattal case hearing postponed till Jan. 10

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Thursday, Jan 08, 2004

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Bhattal case hearing postponed till Jan. 10

By Our Staff Correspondent

CHANDIGARH JAN 7: The Additional district and sessions judge, Chandigarh, R.S. Baswana, today expressed disapproval at the absence of Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, from the proceedings in a corruption case against her. The hearing was postponed till Saturday.

Ms Bhattal faces charges of misappropriating Rs 20 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund in 1996 when she was at the helm of affairs. During a previous hearing, the judge had ruled in favour of framing of charges against her.

As soon as the case came up for hearing today, the defence counsel moved an application seeking exemption on grounds that Ms Bhattal was indisposed. A medical certificate from a Delhi- based hospital was produced in the court. At this the judge noted that the defendant had failed to appear in the court for the third consecutive time. However, following an assurance from the defence counsel, the judge postponed the hearing till January 10.

The court at the next hearing would also decide on the application moved by the Special Public Prosecutor seeking that the case be adjourned sine die. It sought for more time to further investigate the recently- discovered documents and receipts, which indicated that the amount withdrawn by Ms Bhattal was spent legally. The judge said that the complainant was at liberty to file a reply, on this application, till the next hearing.

Later, talking to reporters renowned lawyer, P.N. Lekhi, who appeared on behalf of the complainant, Balwant Singh Dhillon, charged that the State had resorted to various tactics to save Ms Bhattal. He accused the Punjab Government of attempting to circumvent the law. He questioned the veracity of the application moved by Ms Bhattal's counsel, pointing out that she appeared normal and cheerful on various television channels last evening. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Dhillon said that the tactics adopted by the State would not deflate his determination to seek justice.

`No withdrawal of case'

The Punjab Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh, today ruled out withdrawal of an alleged case of misappropriation of funds against Ms.Bhattal saying the State Government would not interfere in the judicial process, adds PTI

``The case is at a stage of framing of charges and there is no question of withdrawing the case against her (Bhattal),'' he told reporters here.

The law would take its own course, he said adding she should not be considered guilty till it was proved.

``Let the trial begin in this case ... only than the real facts will emerge,'' he said.

The Chief Minister also said the size of his Ministry would be reduced soon to conform to the anti-defection law.

``We would review the performance of our Ministers in the last six months and than cut short the Ministry as per provisions of the anti-defection law,'' he said.

Asked about the possibility of replacement of H.S. Hanspal as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief, the Chief Minister said he had given his views to the party high command.

``I believe that status quo should be maintained in the State party unit till Lok Sabha polls,'' he added.

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