Drink-driving challan: Chandigarh man files defamation suit; says he is teetotaller, Radha Soami follower

Court asks police to file reply on August 23; complainant has pleaded for Rs 10 lakh compensation against a 2014 drink-driving challan.

In an amusing turn of events, a Dhanas resident who was challaned for drink-driving has filed a defamation suit against Chandigarh police, saying he was a teetotaller and had never touched alcohol in his life as he was a follower of Radha Soami.

Harvinder Singh said the police tarnished his image as he was tagged as a “drunk” by the society. (Representative image)

Police has sought time to file a reply in this case and were asked to do so on August 23. The complainant has pleaded for Rs 10 lakh compensation against a challan for drink-driving that he was slapped with in 2014.

Harvinder Singh was challaned for drink-driving on October 16, 2014 by Chandigarh police at Sector-36 light point. His vehicle was also impounded. Harvinder challenged the challan in court by stating that he was a teetotaller and a follower of Radha Soami. He added that he had never touched alcohol in his life. The medical report produced in court was also negative. His counsel, Sudesh Kumar, said, “The prosecution did not appear before the court and did not produce any evidence against him; eventually, the prosecution could not prove its case.”

The court acquitted Harvinder of all charges, following which he filed a civil defamation case against Chandigarh police. He stated that police tarnished his image as he was tagged as a “drunk” by society. He added that this challan also hurt his sentiments and he underwent “mental agony and harassment”. His counsel argued that his vehicle was impounded and he underwent a tedious legal battle to get bail for an offence he had not committed.