Chandigarh: HC stays arrest of AAP councillor accused of promoting enmity

AAP councillor Jasbir Singh Laddi is accused of burning the flag of the BJP on June 4 evening after the results of the Lok Sabha polls were declared and of lighting up dangerous explosives and crackers, which are banned in Chandigarh

The Punjab and Haryana high court (HC) has restrained Chandigarh Police from arresting AAP councillor Jasbir Singh Laddi in a criminal case registered against him on June 6 for allegedly promoting enmity.

Jasbir Singh Laddi, a councillor from Ward Number 21 in Chandigarh, was booked by Sector-31 police in June. (HT Photo)

Singh, a councillor from Ward Number 21 in Chandigarh, was booked by Sector-31 police. During the hearing, his counsel, Ferry Sofat, argued that the petitioner had been falsely involved in this case due to political reasons.

In fact, no offence under Sections 153-A and 505 (2) (statements that can lead to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) is made out. No recovery is to be effected from him and he is ready to join the investigation, Sofat told the court.

UT’s counsel, on the other hand, argued that the petitioner being councillor in Chandigarh is a responsible person who indulged in an illegal activity and a video was prepared, which was put on the internet to spoil harmony in the city.