Sukhbir Badal files defamation suit against Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann over canal remark
Muktsar, January 11
SAD president Sukhbir Badal today filed a defamation suit seeking Rs 1 crore damages from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Sukhbir filed a suit in the court of the Civil Judge here through his advocate and also submitted a court fee of Rs 2.29 lakh.
The suit stated that Mann indulged in a drama on November 1, 2023, at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana by asserting that precious water of Punjab was taken by the plaintiff and his family to their farm land in Balasar village of Haryana by constructing a private canal.
It further stated that the CM made this statement despite knowing the real facts of the case and did so deliberately knowing it would have a cascading effect due to the position he held.
The suit said the real facts of the case were that he as well as SAD had fought tirelessly to save each and every drop of water even as the CM and AAP had taken an adverse stand with respect to river waters in Haryana to gain political mileage.
“The Chief Minister has portrayed me as well as the Badal family as highly corrupt people who looted Punjab, besides calling us anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab,” claimed Sukhbir.
Talking to the mediapersons, Sukhbir said, “Now, Mann will have to appear in the court and explain his lies. We will not let him misuse his position as the CM.” Sukhbir said the damages of Rs 1 crore when awarded would be distributed to the service of the Panth among the families of martyrs who laid down their lives for the country.
Meanwhile, Sukhbir’s counsel Advocate Manjinder Singh Brar said, “Sufficient time was given to the CM to apologise for his conduct. Now, the court has summoned him on February 19.
The charge
The suit states that Mann indulged in a drama on November 1, 2023, at PAU, Ludhiana, by asserting that waters of Punjab was taken by the plaintiff and his family to their farm land in Balasar village of Haryana by constructing a private canal.
‘Will expose badals’
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ‘welcomed’ the defamation suit filed against him by SAD president Sukhbir Badal. He said this suit had given him an opportunity to expose the ‘anti-Punjab’ actions of the Badal family.
