Punjab and Haryana High Court directs Bar Council to monitor lawyer Pritpaljit Singh Sangha after quashing FIR over alleged offensive WhatsApp message against Hindu deities, following a compromise between Sangha and complainant, both advocates.
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CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has recently directed the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana to keep a close watch on the conduct of lawyer Pritpaljit Singh Sangha, who was booked in 2019 for allegedly posting an objectionable message against Hindu deities on a WhatsApp group. This directive came after the court quashed the First Information Report (FIR) against Sangha, following a compromise between him and the complainant, who is also an advocate.
Justice Kuldeep Tiwari, who presided over the case, emphasized the importance of maintaining professional decorum and the responsibilities that come with being a member of the legal profession. The court’s decision to quash the FIR was conditional, requiring Sangha to pay Rs.50,000 as costs to the Bar Council.
The court’s order stated-
“Furthermore, a copy of this directive shall promptly be sent to the Chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, with instructions to include it in the personal file of the accused. The Chairman must also diligently monitor the behavior of the petitioner, and in the event of any future similar offense, appropriate disciplinary measures should be taken.”
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The case, which dates back to 2019, involved allegations against Sangha for circulating a message deemed offensive to Hindu deities. This led to significant outrage and the filing of an FIR. However, with the matter now resolved between the complainant and the accused, the High Court saw fit to quash the FIR, but not without imposing stringent conditions on Sangha.
Justice Tiwari’s decision underscores the judiciary’s role in balancing legal enforcement with opportunities for reconciliation and the importance of professional integrity among lawyers. The High Court’s directive to the Bar Council aims to ensure that Sangha’s future conduct remains within the bounds of professional ethics and legal standards.
The warning issued by the court is clear: if Sangha fails to deposit the specified costs, the relief granted through the quashing of the FIR will be nullified.
The court firmly stated-
“The Chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana is tasked with closely monitoring the actions and behavior of the petitioner. If the petitioner commits any similar offense in the future, the Chairman must take suitable disciplinary action.”
In a recent directive, the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed the FIR against lawyer Pritpaljit Singh Sangha, who was booked in 2019 for allegedly posting an objectionable message against Hindu deities on a WhatsApp group. The case, which has seen significant legal proceedings, culminated in a compromise between the complainant and the accused, leading to the FIR’s dismissal.
The initial complaint was filed by Ashok Sareen, who alleged that Sangha had posted a derogatory and insulting message in the WhatsApp group ‘DBA Hoshiarpur’, intending to outrage the religious beliefs of the Hindu community. This led to the Punjab Police booking Sangha under relevant sections of the law.
In 2019, Sangha moved to quash the FIR. Earlier this year, the Court was informed that both parties had decided to compromise the matter. Subsequently, the High Court directed the parties to present themselves before the trial court to record their statements regarding the compromise.
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Upon the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s satisfaction that the compromise was genuine and voluntary, the High Court quashed the FIR against Sangha. This decision underscores the importance of mediation and compromise in resolving legal disputes, especially those involving sensitive issues of religious sentiments.
The accused, Pritpaljit Singh Sangha, was represented by Advocates Gurmeet Singh and SK Kanojia. The State of Punjab’s interests were represented by Deputy Advocate General Pardeep Bajaj, while the complainant, Ashok Sareen, was represented by Advocate Shubham Mirok.
CASE TITLE:
Pritpaljit Singh Sangha vs State of Punjab and Another
