Covid rules violation case: Notice to LIP chief

Ludhiana: A local court has issued notice to Lok Insaaf Party (

LIP

) chief Simarjit Singh Bains in a case related to violation of Covid norms. The court of additional chief judicial magistrate Harsimranjit Singh issued it on Thursday. In August 2020, Division 5 police station had booked Simarjit, then MLA from Atamnagar, and his brother Balwinder Singh Bains, former MLA from Ludhiana South, under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC for violating the Covid norms during a protest outside the police commissioner’s office. In January this year, the court had issued non-bailable warrants against Simarjit. The recent court order said, “Statement of serving head constable Naresh Kumar has been recorded regarding execution of proclamation under Section 82 of the CrPC. Period of 30 days has elapsed. Neither accused

Simarjit

Singh nor anyone else has appeared in the court on his behalf. Hence accused Simarjit Singh is declared a proclaimed person.” The court directed that necessary intimation be sent to the SHO concerned immediately and the case will now come up for hearing on April 22 for prosecution evidence. However, the court allowed the application for exemption by counsel for Balwinder Singh Bains. Aticipatory bail in rape case: Order reserved The court of additional sessions judge Rashmi Sharma on Friday reserved the orders on the anticipatory bail plea of Simarjit

Bains

in the rape case. Harish Rai Dhanda, counsel for the complainant, said arguments were made by prosecution and defence in the case, and after hearing them, the court reserved the order. On July 10 last year, Bains was booked following a rape complaint by a 44-year-old woman. Six others, including his brothers, were booked for criminal conspiracy.