The Supreme Court urged Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia to express remorse over their remarks against former judge Ranjit Singh, who investigated sacrilege incidents in Punjab. The court emphasized public dignity and suggested reconciliation. Both parties have two weeks to consider the court’s advice amid ongoing disputes, impacting the case’s resolution.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday (Nov 19th) urged Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia to express remorse for their remarks against former judge Ranjit Singh, who led a panel investigating incidents of sacrilege and police firing in Punjab. The court suggested this step as a way forward in resolving the matter.
A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Aravind Kumar was hearing Justice (retd) Ranjit Singh’s appeal challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s dismissal of his plea under Section 10A of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. The section penalizes defamatory statements against inquiry commissions or their members with up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The bench emphasized the importance of dignity in public life, particularly for individuals who have held high offices. Addressing Badal, the court said:
“You were deputy CM of Punjab and he is a former judge. You both have held higher positions in public life. Just see the statements made. It does not look nice. The only way forward is that you should express remorse.”
Justice Kumar added that expressing remorse would elevate their stature, stating,
“Expressing remorse will keep you at a higher pedestal.”
The court also advised the former judge to move beyond the issue and avoid letting personal pride hinder reconciliation.
“The higher you go, the ego will go up. You have to keep your ego aside. People at the bottom are more flexible in moving on. You have held such higher offices in public life. Just ignore the statements and move on,”
the bench remarked.
Both parties were given two weeks to deliberate on the court’s suggestion. The former judge’s counsel, senior advocate Nidesh Gupta, was asked to discuss the proposal with his client. Similarly, senior advocate Puneet Bali, representing Badal and Majithia, sought time to convey the court’s advice to his clients.
Justice Ranjit Singh led a commission set up by the Congress government in 2017 to investigate incidents of sacrilege and police firing in Punjab, particularly during the SAD-BJP regime (2015). The commission’s findings and subsequent controversies led to tensions, with Justice Singh alleging that Badal and Majithia made “derogatory, defamatory, and disrespectful” remarks against him and the commission, thereby bringing them into disrepute.
The November 8, 2019, High Court verdict dismissed Justice Singh’s complaint under Section 10A. In his petition, he highlighted multiple instances of allegedly defamatory comments by the SAD leaders, accusing them of undermining the credibility of the commission.
The Supreme Court’s intervention seeks to balance accountability with reconciliation, urging both parties to prioritize public service and institutional respect over prolonged disputes. The final decision, expected after two weeks, could shape the resolution of this high-profile case.
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