The Supreme Court, on April 2, 2025, disposed of an appeal filed by Justice (Retd.) Ranjit Singh against former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and ex-MLA Bikram Singh Majithia. The appeal was in response to remarks made by them against the Justice Singh-led Commission, which investigated incidents of sacrilege in Punjab between 2015 and 2017.
The Court took note of the remorse expressed by Badal and Majithia towards Justice Singh and, accordingly, decided to close the case.
- Earlier, the Supreme Court had suggested an amicable resolution, advising the respondents to express remorse.
- When the matter came before Justices M.M. Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal, Senior Advocate Puneet Bali informed the Court that, in compliance with the Court’s order dated November 19, 2024, the respondents had agreed to apologize.
“Though the senior counsel for the appellant expressed reservations about the contents of the affidavit, a perusal of the same shows that the statement has been withdrawn.” — Supreme Court Order
Read also: Supreme Court Affirms State Commissions' Authority Over Power Supply Affecting State Grids
- Senior Advocate Nidhesh Gupta, representing Justice Singh, argued that the affidavit merely stated, “hurt, if any, we regret that,” and did not explicitly retract the allegations.
- Bali responded that a complete withdrawal would imply acceptance of the Commission's findings and suggested modifying the wording as per Gupta’s recommendations.
- The Court, upon reading the affidavit, noted that the statement had been withdrawn and subsequently disposed of the petition.
Read also: Supreme Court Blocks Tree Cutting in Kancha Gachibowli, Demands Answers from Telangana Government
Background: Sacrilege Inquiry & Political Repercussions
- Justice Ranjit Singh led a Commission to investigate multiple sacrilege incidents and police actions between June 2015 and March 2017 in Punjab.
- The Commission’s report held Dera Sacha Sauda and its followers responsible for the theft and desecration of Guru Granth Sahib at a Faridkot gurdwara, along with the circulation of derogatory posters.
- Additionally, the report blamed SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal for the police firing on anti-sacrilege protestors.
- In August 2018, Sukhbir Singh Badal publicly alleged that Justice Singh had no legal standing and accused him of fabricating evidence, including witness statements, in the Commission’s report.
- Shortly after, Majithia, along with other SAD leaders, held a protest outside the Punjab Assembly, where they mocked the Commission’s report.
- Following these events, Justice Singh filed a criminal complaint under Section 10A of the Commission of Inquiry Act before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, accusing Badal and Majithia of defamation.
- Badal and Majithia contested the complaint, arguing that under the Commission of Inquiry Act, only a member of the Commission could file such a case. Since the Commission had ceased to exist, they claimed the complaint was invalid.
- They further alleged that Justice Singh’s affidavits failed to mention that he was no longer part of the Commission when the complaint was filed.
“The complaint is not maintainable as it was filed after the dissolution of the Commission.” — Respondents’ Argument
- On November 8, 2019, the Punjab & Haryana High Court dismissed Justice Singh’s complaint on grounds of maintainability.
- Justice Singh challenged this dismissal in the Supreme Court, citing undue haste in deciding the case, as the presiding judge had been transferred during the order’s reservation.
- In January 2020, the Supreme Court issued notices to Badal and Majithia, leading to the proceedings that concluded on April 2, 2025.
- The Supreme Court, after reviewing the affidavit submitted by Badal and Majithia, noted that they had expressed remorse and retracted their statements.
- As a result, the Court disposed of the appeal and ordered that any pending applications be closed.
“In view of the above, the appeal stands disposed of.” — Supreme Court Judgment
With this ruling, the long-drawn legal battle between Justice Ranjit Singh and the Shiromani Akali Dal leaders comes to an end, bringing closure to a case that had been under litigation for several years.
Case Details: JUSTICE (RETIRED) RANJIT SINGH v. SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL AND ANR.|Crl.A. No. 1982/2019
