Petitioner refuses probe, to file protest plea

JALANDHAR : Challenging the inquiry report submitted by the Jalandhar rural police to cancel the FIR against Shahkot Congress MLA Hardev Singh Ladi Sherowalia, the petitioner pleaded before the court to fight a legal battle against him in a hearing on Monday.

Petitioner Mohan Singh and his counsel Karampal Singh Gill appeared in the court of judicial magistrate (first class) Tanveer Singh at Nakodar. The judge had offered him reinvestigation in the case but the petitioner decided to fight legal battle.

“The judge has accepted the plea and asked him to submit the protest petition along with list of witnesses on next hearing (September 13),” said district attorney Satpal Singh.

The move has created more troubles for the MLA as it will cause further delay in cancellation of the FIR. Sherowalia was booked under charges of illegal mining on May 4, hours after he was declared the Congress candidate for Shahkot bypolls.

On the complaint of Bhatha Majdoor Union’s general secretary Mohan Singh, a case was registered under Section 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and Section 379 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code at the Mehatpur police station. The Jalandhar rural police on July 3 had moved an application to cancel the FIR filed against Sherowalia after they failed to find to evidence during investigation.