Navjot Singh Sidhu: India's cricketer-turned-politician jailed for road rage death

[MenInG]

India's top court has sentenced cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu to one year in prison in a decades-old road rage case.

The Supreme Court ruled that Sidhu "intentionally caused hurt" to Gurnam Singh, who was 65, resulting in his death in the incident in 1988.

The former MP was acquitted of the more serious charge of manslaughter in 2018 - that still stands.

But the jail sentence is a serious setback for his political career.

Sidhu recently resigned as the Congress party's chief in Punjab after his party was wiped out in state assembly elections.

He has limited legal options left as he can appeal against the ruling only once in the form of a curative petition.

The case timeline

Sidhu was first accused of manslaughter in 1988 when a 65-year-old man died hours after an argument with him in Patiala.

He was India's opening batsman at the time and a rising star in his fledging international cricket career.

The case continued to be heard in a trial court. In 1999, the court acquitted Sidhu.

The state appealed against the acquittal in the high court, which convicted him for manslaughter in 2006. This forced him to resign from his parliamentary seat of Amritsar as Indian laws do not allow convicted individuals to be public representatives.

He appealed against the verdict in the Supreme Court which stayed the conviction, allowing him to retake his seat in a by-election. In 2018, the top court acquitted him in the manslaughter case, but found him guilty of "hurting the victim" and asked him to pay a fine of 1,000 rupees ($13; £10).

The victim's family appealed against the ruling and on Thursday, the Supreme Court added a one-year sentence to the fine.

Who is Navjot Singh Sidhu?
Sidhu is one of India's most successful Test cricketers. Known for his stylish and powerful stroke play, he thrived in particular against fast bowlers, but also held equal command over playing spin skilfully.

He scored 3,202 runs at an average of 42 in 51 Test matches. He also played 136 ODIs and scored 4,413 runs. He retired from all forms of cricket in 1999 and after four years, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and became an MP. Over the years, he rose to become a prominent party leader and a star campaigner.

In the next decade, he also managed to launch a successful career as a cricket commentator and also as a TV personality on comedy shows. His witty and sharp style made him popular as a commentator.

But he became disgruntled with the BJP after reportedly not getting any important job in the government despite the party's landslide win in the 2014 general elections.

He quit the BJP in 2016 and joined the Congress, where he rose to become the chief of its state unit in Punjab.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61503992

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Lol and Khan is ousted

 

[sweep_shot]

Balle balle.

1 year is too light. He murdered a person.

 

[MenInG]

NEW DELHI, May 19 (Reuters) - India's top court on Thursday ordered a one-year jail term for cricketer-turned-lawmaker Navjot Singh Sidhu for a road-rage assault case that killed a man over 30 years ago.

Sidhu, who until recently served as the head of the main opposition Congress party in the state of Punjab, was accused by an eyewitness of pulling the deceased out of his car and killing him with a blow to the head in December 1988.

The Supreme Court in 2018 ordered the former state lawmaker to pay a fine of 1000 rupees ($12.91) for voluntarily hurting a person.

However, in a ruling on Thursday following a review of its 2018 judgment, the court said it considered it "appropriate" to jail Sidhu in addition to fining him, saying "some aggravated culpability" must be attached if a person dies.

"In addition to the fine imposed, we consider it appropriate to impose a sentence of imprisonment for a period of one year rigorous imprisonment," the ruling said.

After the judgment, Sidhu said in a tweet he would "submit to the majesty of law," without elaborating.

The former international cricketer in the northern state of Punjab was acquitted by a local court in 1999, citing lack of evidence, but subsequently convicted of culpable homicide by a High Court in 2006 and sentenced to three years in jail.

Sidhu had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, which reduced his sentence and dismissed the case after ordering the former cricketer to pay a fine, saying the incident was 30 years old and there was no history of enmity between the parties.

But the family of the deceased filed for a review of the 2018 judgment.

"A disproportionately light punishment humiliates and frustrates a victim of crime when the offender goes unpunished," the Supreme Court said in the judgment.

 

[James]

Balle balle.

1 year is too light. He murdered a person.

I was always amazed that he got away with it for so long.

1 year after all this time is a bit of a joke.

 

[sweep_shot]

I was always amazed that he got away with it for so long.

1 year after all this time is a bit of a joke.

I agree. He should've received at least 20 years of jail sentence.

 

[Justcrazy]

Balle balle.

1 year is too light. He murdered a person.

Murder and manslaughter are two different things. The difference is intention.
If the court had considered it as Murder , the term would have been at least 14 years.

 

[MenInG]

New Delhi: Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu today surrendered in a court in Punjab's Patiala, a day after the Supreme Court sentenced him to one year in jail in a road-rage incident in which a man was killed 34 years ago. He had earlier requested a few more weeks to surrender on health grounds.

Lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for Navjot Sidhu in the Supreme Court, was told by Justice AM Khanwilkar to approach the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana. But the "matter could not be mentioned before the Chief Justice", said Mr Sidhu's team.

Mr Sidhu had yesterday tweeted after the order that he would "submit to the majesty of law".

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ordered one-year "rigorous imprisonment" for the cricketer-turned-politician, who recently quit as Punjab Congress chief after his party's defeat in the state election.

Opposing Mr Sidhu's request for time, the counsel representing Punjab said: "34 years does not mean the crime dies. Now the judgment is pronounced, they want three-four weeks again."

Mr Singhvi replied: "I am saying I will surrender. It's your discretion to consider."

Justice Khanwilkar said: "Place a formal application and we will see. File this and mention it before the Chief Justice's court, then we will see."

The Supreme Court yesterday gave its ruling on a petition by the family of a man who died after a brawl with Mr Sidhu and his friend in 1988. The family had asked for a harsher sentence and a review of a 2018 order of the Supreme Court acquitting him of murder.

On December 27, 1988, Mr Sidhu got into an argument with Gurnam Singh, a resident of Patiala, over a parking spot. Mr Sidhu and his friend, Rupinder Singh Sandhu, allegedly dragged Gurnam Singh out of his car and hit him. He later died in hospital.

Mr Sidhu was accused by an eyewitness of killing Gurnam Singh with a blow to the head.

The Supreme Court in 2018 ordered Mr Sidhu to pay a fine of ₹ 1,000 rupees for voluntarily hurting a person.

However, the court, reviewing its own order, said it considered it "appropriate" to jail Mr Sidhu, saying "some aggravated culpability" must be attached if a person dies.

"In addition to the fine imposed, we consider it appropriate to impose a sentence of imprisonment for a period of one year rigorous imprisonment," the Supreme Court said.

Mr Sidhu was acquitted by a local court in 1999 over lack of evidence, but was convicted of culpable homicide by the High Court in 2006 and sentenced to three years in jail.

Mr Sidhu had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, which reduced his sentence and dismissed the case after ordering the former cricketer to pay a fine, saying the incident was 30 years old and Mr Sidhu had not used a weapon.

But the family of the victim filed for a review of the 2018 judgment.

"A disproportionately light punishment humiliates and frustrates a victim of crime when the offender goes unpunished," the Supreme Court said.

NDTV

 

[Reddy]

Sidhu was dreaming about becoming Chief Minister of Punjab and becoming a Billionaire by making thousands of crores, lost the elections for Congress and now will go to jail.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Sidhu was dreaming about becoming Chief Minister of Punjab and becoming a Billionaire by making thousands of crores, lost the elections for Congress and now will go to jail.

Soon he will quit congress and join in AAP.

 

[Reddy]

Soon he will quit congress and join in AAP.

There is no big position for him in AAP, Sidhu's sole aim was to become Chief Minister of Punjab and a Billionaire by making thousands of crores.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Soon he will quit congress and join in AAP.

Moving to Congress was a huge mistake on his part. He should have stayed put in BJP or jumped on AAP bandwagon.

 

[MenInG]

Former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu who surrendered before a Patiala court on Friday in connection with the 1988 road rage case will earn between ₹40 to ₹60 every day during his one-year imprisonment sentenced by the Supreme Court. It is the same jail where Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia is also lodged in connection with a drug case. Their barracks are, however, different.

A prison official told Hindustan Times Sidhu skipped his dinner on Friday saying that he already had his food. But he took some medicine. “He is in high spirits and cooperating. There is no special meal for him. If a doctor advises any special meal, he can buy it from the jail canteen or cook himself,” the official said.

As Sidhu has been sentenced to rigorous imprisonment, he will have to work as per the jail manual. For the first three months, however, he will be trained. According to the jail manual, an unskilled inmate gets ₹40 per day and a skilled ₹60 per day.

On Friday, Sidhu sought some time from the Supreme Court before he surrendered as he said he wanted to organise his medical affairs. After 4pm, Sidhu surrendered before the court of chief judicial magistrate Amit Malhan who signed the conviction warrant and ordered him to be sent to jail. He was taken to Mata Kaushalya Hospital for the mandatory medical examination, after which he was sent to his assigned barrack.

As reported by news agency PTI, citing Sidhu's media advisor Surinder *****, Sidhu suffers from medical conditions like embolism and has a liver ailment.

In 2015, Sidhu underwent acute deep vein thrombosis treatment at a Delhi hospital. Because of the deep vein thrombosis condition, Sidhu has to wear big plastic bands on his legs so that there is no clot formation, ***** said adding that Sidhu needs to take many medicines because of his health complications daily. Sidhu has also been advised to avoid a diet containing wheat flour, his media advisor said.

The road rage case goes back to 1988, when Sidhu allegedly beat Gurnam Singh with his hand leading to his death. In 1999, Sidhu and Rupinder Singh Sandhu who was there with Sidhu were acquitted due to a lack of evidence. It was then challenged by the victim's families before the Punjab and Haryana high court which in 2006 had convicted Sidhu and sentenced him to three years imprisonment.

Sidhu challenged the order in the Supreme Court which in 2018 held him guilty of the offence of 'voluntarily causing hurt' but let him go with a fine of ₹1,000. Gurnam Singh's family sought a review of the judgment and the Supreme Court on Thursday sentenced Sidhu to one-year rigorous imprisonment. The apex court said any undue sympathy in imposing an inadequate sentence would do more harm to the justice system and undermine the public confidence in the efficacy of law.

(With inputs from Bureau and agencies)

Hindustan Times

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Pretty sure he will get all the facilities like TV, Mobile, Internet, Refrigerator, AC as well as Butter Chicken in his 1 year jail vacation.

 

[gani999]

Pretty sure he will get all the facilities like TV, Mobile, Internet, Refrigerator, AC as well as Butter Chicken in his 1 year jail vacation.

He will participate in Kapil Sharma's comedy show through zoom as well.

 

[MP2011]

This couldn't have happened to a 'nicer' man.

However, it should have been at least 10 years.

 

[MP2011]

Pretty sure he will get all the facilities like TV, Mobile, Internet, Refrigerator, AC as well as Butter Chicken in his 1 year jail vacation.

Won't be too sure of this.

He'll be lodged in jail under AAP government which may not be as accomodating towards him as a Congress government would have been.

 

[MenInG]

Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu is set to walk out of Patiala jail today, 10 months after serving sentence in a road-rage incident in which a man was killed 34 years ago. A tweet from his official account this morning said that the 59-year-old cricketer-turned-politician will address the media outside jail around noon.

On Friday, the Punjab Congress leader had put a tweet that he was informed by the "concerned authorities" that he will be released today.

Ahead of his release, his supporters have gathered outside the Patiala jail for a grand welcome. "Navjot Sidhu's release is like a festival for us," a Congress leader, seen waiting outside the jail, told NDTV.

Navjot Singh Sidhu was handed a one-year sentence in the road rage case and was due to be released in May, but is being released early on account of his "good behaviour".

His lawyer HPS Verma told NDTV that the Congress leader is getting an early release under the state's general remission policy. "Navjot Sidhu's scheduled release was in May, but for all prisoners with good conduct, all Sunday holidays get deducted from the sentence period. Therefore, (Navjot) Sidhu is getting a 48-day remission," he said.

The Supreme Court had last year in May ordered one-year "rigorous imprisonment" for the 59-year-old politician following a petition by the family of a man who died after a brawl with Navjot Sidhu and his friend in 1988. The family had asked for a harsher sentence and a review of a 2018 order from the Supreme Court acquitting him of murder.

On December 27, 1988, Navjot Sidhu got into an argument with 65-year-old Gurnam Singh, a resident of Patiala, over a parking spot. Navjot Sidhu and his friend, Rupinder Singh Sandhu, allegedly dragged Gurnam Singh out of his car and hit him. He later died in a hospital.

Mr Sidhu was accused by an eyewitness of killing Gurnam Singh with a blow to the head.

The Supreme Court in 2018 ordered Mr Sidhu to pay a fine of ₹ 1,000 rupees for voluntarily hurting a person.

However, the court, reviewing its own order, said it considered it "appropriate" to jail Mr Sidhu, saying "some aggravated culpability" must be attached if a person dies.

NDTV

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu is set to walk out of Patiala jail today, 10 months after serving sentence in a road-rage incident in which a man was killed 34 years ago. A tweet from his official account this morning said that the 59-year-old cricketer-turned-politician will address the media outside jail around noon.

On Friday, the Punjab Congress leader had put a tweet that he was informed by the "concerned authorities" that he will be released today.

Ahead of his release, his supporters have gathered outside the Patiala jail for a grand welcome. "Navjot Sidhu's release is like a festival for us," a Congress leader, seen waiting outside the jail, told NDTV.

Navjot Singh Sidhu was handed a one-year sentence in the road rage case and was due to be released in May, but is being released early on account of his "good behaviour".

His lawyer HPS Verma told NDTV that the Congress leader is getting an early release under the state's general remission policy. "Navjot Sidhu's scheduled release was in May, but for all prisoners with good conduct, all Sunday holidays get deducted from the sentence period. Therefore, (Navjot) Sidhu is getting a 48-day remission," he said.

The Supreme Court had last year in May ordered one-year "rigorous imprisonment" for the 59-year-old politician following a petition by the family of a man who died after a brawl with Navjot Sidhu and his friend in 1988. The family had asked for a harsher sentence and a review of a 2018 order from the Supreme Court acquitting him of murder.

On December 27, 1988, Navjot Sidhu got into an argument with 65-year-old Gurnam Singh, a resident of Patiala, over a parking spot. Navjot Sidhu and his friend, Rupinder Singh Sandhu, allegedly dragged Gurnam Singh out of his car and hit him. He later died in a hospital.

Mr Sidhu was accused by an eyewitness of killing Gurnam Singh with a blow to the head.

The Supreme Court in 2018 ordered Mr Sidhu to pay a fine of ₹ 1,000 rupees for voluntarily hurting a person.

However, the court, reviewing its own order, said it considered it "appropriate" to jail Mr Sidhu, saying "some aggravated culpability" must be attached if a person dies.

NDTV

Still can't believe he was charged a fine of Rs 1000 for hurting a person who eventually died in a hospital. What a law.

 

[MenInG]

Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu came out of jail today, 10 months after he was imprisoned in a road rage case that killed a man 34 years ago.

After getting out of the jail in Punjab's Patiala, Mr Sidhu jumped straight to work.

"Democracy is in chains," he said, in an apparent swipe at the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Punjab is the shield of this country. When dictatorship came in this country, a revolution also came, led by Rahul Gandhi," Mr Sidhu said.

He alleged the centre wants to impose President's rule in the state where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a bitter rival of the BJP, is in power. His comments come amid the search for radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, whose private militia has been accused of trying to create trouble in Punjab and disturb law and order.

NDTV