Majithia moves discharge plea in 2021 protest FIR

Chandigarh: SAD functionary Bikram Singh Majithia appeared in the Chandigarh district court on Tuesday in a five-year-old case of allegedly obstructing police officials from discharging their duty, disobeying orders, and using force against cops. Charges were to be framed in the case, but Majithia filed an application in court for discharge (acquittal from charges). Majithia appeared in the CJM's court along with other accused. The court fixed March 5, 2026, as the date for the next hearing in the case.Defence lawyer Rajesh Kumar Rai stated in the application filed on behalf of Majithia that a quashing petition is pending in the Punjab and Haryana high court in the same case, which may be listed for hearing in 1-2 days.The application also mentions the quashing of the FIR by the high court against former minister Daljit Singh Cheema and Mahesh Inder Grewal. The defence claimed that there was no solid evidence or witness in the case that supported the police report based on the charges.In 2021, an FIR was registered at Sector 3 police station in Chadnigarh against 23 Akali leaders. The allegation is that barricades were broken during the demonstration and policemen were allegedly attacked. This demonstration took place near the MLA hostel in Sector 3.Akali leaders were insisting on going to the chief minister's residence to submit a memorandum in support of farmers' demands. Under security arrangements, police placed barricades around the chief minister's residence.The Sector 3 police registered a case against the accused under sections 188 (violation of order), 186 (obstruction in govt work), 353 (assault on govt employee), 332 (causing hurt to govt employee), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. Several policemen were also injured in the incident.