Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday granted regular bail to BJP leader and former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal in connection with the Bathinda plot case, providing him relief in a matter that has drawn significant political and legal attention.
The High Court had earlier extended interim anticipatory bail to Badal over alleged irregularities linked to the purchase of a property in Bathinda district in October 2023. After hearing the case in detail, the court has now confirmed regular bail.
Senior advocate RS Cheema, along with advocate Dilraj Singh Bhinder, represented Manpreet Singh Badal during the proceedings.
Badal was named in FIR No. 21 dated September 24, 2023, registered at the Vigilance Bureau Police Station in Bathinda. The case was filed under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, including Section 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2), as amended in 2018. Multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 420, 409, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B, were also invoked. Additionally, charges under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, were included.
The FIR relates to alleged irregularities in the purchase of a plot of land, an issue that has sparked debate within political circles in Punjab since the case came to light. While the grant of regular bail offers legal relief to Badal, the investigation into the matter is set to continue in accordance with the law.
