CHANDIGARH, April 22 – The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday extended Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa’s protection from arrest until May 7, in connection with an FIR registered over his statement alleging that “50 bombs” had reached Punjab.
The court passed the order while hearing Bajwa’s petition seeking the quashing of the FIR, which was filed in Mohali on April 13 under charges related to promoting enmity and disturbing public peace by spreading false information.
“The police have submitted a status report. While extending protection from arrest to him, the court has deferred the hearing till May 7,” said Bajwa’s counsel and former advocate general APS Deol following the proceedings.
The detailed court order is still awaited.
On April 16, the court had initially stayed Bajwa’s arrest until April 22. The latest order continues the relief.
Bajwa landed in controversy after making a televised statement that “50 grenades have been brought to Punjab, of which 18 have exploded and 32 remain active.” Authorities initiated action after he failed to present credible evidence to support the claim.
The FIR was lodged based on a complaint from a cyber police constable, who alleged that Bajwa’s remarks were intended to incite fear, disrupt public tranquility, and stoke communal tensions.
Read more: Bajwa Appears Before Cyber Cell in ’50 Bombs’ Case, Congress Stages Protest
