THE CASE SO FAR

Dec 27, 1988: Sidhu and his friend Rupinder Singh Sandhu allegedly beat up Patiala resident Gurnam Singh over right of way for his car. Gurnam taken to a hospital where he is declared dead. Sidhu and friend booked.

Sept 1999: Patiala district and sessions court acquits Sidhu and others of murder charges, citing lack of evidence.

2002: Punjab govt files appeal against acquittal.

Dec 1, 2006: Punjab and Haryana HC finds Sidhu and Sandhu guilty of culpable homicide (not amounting to murder) and awards a three-year jail term. Sidhu resigns as BJP

MP from Amritsar.

Jan 11, 2007: Sidhu surrenders in court. Jan 12, 2007: Arun Jaitley appears as Sidhu’s lawyer in SC, which stays the conviction; Sidhu and friend released on bail. Thereafter, Sidhu wins bypoll to become Amritsar MP for the second time on BJP ticket. The complainant then approaches SC against Sidhu. Dec 2017-Mar 2018: Sidhu quits BJP and joins Congress; wins assembly election, becomes a minister in Punjab govt.

April 12, 2018: During hearing of the appeal, Punjab govt seeks Sidhu’s conviction in SC.

May 15, 2018: Sidhu acquitted of charges of culpable homicide, but fined ₹1,000 for causing hurt to Gurdev Singh. Sandhu acquitted. Sep 12, 2018: SC agrees to hear review petition.