Plot purchase case: Manpreet Badal skips hearing on medical grounds

Bathinda, October 23

Former Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, who has been booked in a plot purchase ‘scam’, failed to appear before the Vigilance Bureau in Bathinda on Monday.

He said he couldn’t appear due to pain in his back and sought exemption from personal appearance for 10 days. He also submitted a report of PGI doctors. Manpreet said he had been asked to take rest for a week.

His lawyer Sukhdeep Singh Bhinder reached the VB office and handed over a medical certificate and passport of the former minister to the investigating officer.

Bhinder said Manpreet had been suffering from back pain since long and was unable to walk. He added that his client was undergoing treatment at the PGI and could not appear.

Vigilance officials said the former minister had sent his medical certificate. Based on this, further action would be taken after consulting higher officials and legal advisors.

The VB has already arrested hotelier Rajiv Kumar, businessman Vikas Arora and Amandeep, a contractor’s employee in the case. The VB had tried hard to arrest Manpreet but could not succeed. Meanwhile, he had filed an interim bail application in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court had stayed his arrest and ordered him to join the investigation a few days ago.