Date:14/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/14/stories/2008101457810700.htm

National

Apex court stays arrest of Akali leader

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed till October 27 the arrest of Akali Dal leader Barjinder Singh whose name had cropped up in connection with the Moga sex scandal.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan extended the interim protection provided to Barjinder, who is the Chairman of the Moga Municipal Corporation and asked him to apply for regular bail before the competent court.

Barjinder, son of former education minister Tota Singh, filed an appeal against the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court refusing to grant him relief.

Political reason

Senior advocate Arun Jaitley, appearing for Barjinder, contended that the case was foisted on him due to political reason.

The statement of the accused under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) did not point out any connection of Barjinder to the sex scandal in which some Punjab police personnel have been made accused.

The High Court had suo motu taken cognizance of the scandal and had ordered a CBI probe.

The racket involves alleged extortion of money from people by police officials in connivance with two women. PTI