New Delhi: The Supreme Court has adjourned till Thursday the hearing on the appeal of former cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, who has challenged the Punjab and Haryana High Court order holding him guilty on charges of culpable homicide in a roadrage case dating back to 1988.
After hearing the arguments of both sides, the court said the arguments will continue on Thursday, after which the Apex Court is likely to pronounce its judgement on his plea.
The former cricketer was sentenced to three years in prison on December 6, 2006, for the death of Gurnam Singh of Patiala in 1988. The Punjab and Haryana High Court, which found the ex-cricketer guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder on December 2, has also slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh on him.
Gurnam Singh's son Ashok has also moved a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking enhancement of punishment for the former cricketer in the case. The petitioner has claimed that Sidhu should be charged under Sec 302. The high court had held Sidhu guilty under Sec 304 of IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder).
Sidhu’s political future critically hinges on the court’s word. Since his sentence is more than two years, he is ideally not eligible to contest elections for up to six years after his release if the Supreme Court upholds the punishment.
Sidhu is projected as the BJP's possible candidate for the byelection for the Amritsar Lok Sabha Constituency. Sidhu had resigned as an MP from the seat after his conviction on December 1. The last date for filing of nominations for the Lok Sabha bypoll is Thursday.
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