Simarjeet Singh Bains, a former MLA from Atam Nagar and a leader within the Congress party, announced on Tuesday that he intends to appeal the one-year jail sentence handed down to him in a criminal defamation case. The sentence was pronounced by a Patiala court in an eight-year-old case initiated by senior Congress leader and former Punjab minister Brahm Mohindra.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Bains, speaking at a press conference, expressed his dissatisfaction with the court’s verdict. He stated his intention to pursue the matter further by approaching the Sessions Court and subsequently the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Bains asserted that his legal battle is ongoing and that he remains committed to his principles.
The defamation case dates back to 2018, when Bains, then heading the Lok Insaaf Party, made allegations against Mohindra, who held the position of Punjab Health Minister at the time. The allegations pertained to purported irregularities concerning medicines and drug de-addiction centres within the state.
Brahm Mohindra subsequently filed a defamation complaint, contending that the accusations made by Bains had caused significant damage to his reputation. The court proceedings have spanned several years, with Bains noting that a total of 297 hearings were conducted before the final verdict was delivered.
Reflecting on the political context of the case, Bains pointed out that both himself and Brahm Mohindra, who were aligned with different political factions when the complaint was lodged, are now associated with the Congress party. He reiterated that his statements at the time were made in the course of raising issues he deemed important for Punjab.
Bains drew a parallel to the case of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was convicted in a criminal defamation case by a Surat court in 2023 and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Bains emphasized his belief in the fundamental right to freedom of speech and indicated his continued commitment to raising public interest issues.
The former MLA maintained that the imposed sentence would not deter him from seeking legal recourse. He affirmed his intention to present his arguments before the higher courts. The case is now poised to move forward with Bains filing an appeal against the Patiala court’s decision.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
