High Court summons nine top BJP leaders of Himachal Pradesh

The High court of Himachal Pradesh has summoned nine (9) BJP top leaders including former Chief Ministers Prem Kumar Dhumal and Jai Ram Thakur in a defamation case, informed Advocate Deepak addressing media. This action came in response in the matter of a private complaint filed by Horticulture minister  Jagat Singh Neg under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code in the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court of Kinnaur in 2017.

This matter knocked the door of the High court when during the hearing, CJM Kinnaur issued a notice to only one out of the total 10 accused in the matter.  “The CJM court summoned only one lone former BJP MLA Tejwant Negi (Accused no 10), whereas 9 others were also accused, were not given notices,” informed the advocate.

After one and a half months of deliberation, the High Court has now issued notices to all nine BJP leaders named in the complaint, he added. The names of the leaders summoned include including former Chief Ministers Prem Kumar Dhumal and Jai Ram Thakur, and former ministers Mahinder Singh Thakur, Suresh Bhardwaj, Vipin Singh Parmar, Ravinder Ravi, Sat Pal Satti, Dr Rajiv Bindal, and Randhir Singh Sharma. These leaders have been instructed to present their side within two weeks.

This matter dates back to 2016, when Negi was Deputy Speaker of the Himachal Vidhan Sabha, he took a firm stand against allegations by BJP leaders. On December 24, 2016, the BJP submitted a charge sheet to the Governor, accusing several Congress leaders, including Negi, of serious misconduct and corruption. These allegations included charges of illegal mining, casting a shadow over the then Congress government. Reacting to the allegations Jagat Singh Negi moved court.

Noteworthy that this development comes as Negi, a key figure in the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government, continues to build his reputation as a successful and proactive minister. Negi has been instrumental in implementing significant reforms in the state’s horticulture sector, including the introduction of a universal carton system and the sale of apples by weight, which have been well-received by the farming community. Additionally, he has reinstated subsidies on pesticides and curbed the influence of middlemen, thereby safeguarding farmers’ interests.

The High Court’s recent order to summon the BJP leaders highlights the contentious nature of these accusations and sets the stage for a significant political confrontation. As both parties prepare to present their cases, the state’s political dynamics are poised for further turbulence, reflecting the high stakes involved in this ongoing saga.