Punjab & Haryana HC Imposes 50K Cost On Lawyer Accused Of Hurting Religious Sentiments In WhatsApp Message, Asks Bar Council To Keep Vigil On His Conduct

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana to "ensure to keep a vigil on the act and conduct" of a lawyer who was accused in an FIR of posting an objectionable message against Hindu deities on a WhatsApp group.

While quashing the FIR on the basis of the compromise deed, Justice Kuldeep Tiwari said, "a copy of this order be also forthwith forwarded to the Chairman, Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, with a direction that the same shall be placed in personal file of accused. The Chairman, Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, shall also ensure to keep a vigil on the act and conduct of the present petitioner and in case, henceforth any similar offence is committed by the petitioner, then appropriate disciplinary action be taken against him."

The Court also imposed a cost of Rs. 50,000 while quashing the FIR adding that if it is not deposited within one week, the relief of quashing, "shall stand ipso facto vacated and this petition shall be deemed to be dismissed."

Pritpal Singh Sangha, a lawyer by profession was booked under Sections 153-A, 295-A, 505(2) of  IPC at Punjab's Hoshiarpur upon filing a complaint by one Ashok Sareen who alleged that Sangha had posted a derogatory and insulting message in a WhatsApp group to outrage the religious beliefs of the Hindu community.

Later, the matter was compromised between the parties, and hence a plea for quashing was filed, the counsel for Sangha submitted.

In the previous proceeding, the Court had directed the parties to appear before the trial Court concerned, for getting their respective statements recorded qua authenticity of the compromise. consequently, the statements were recorded.

Stating that "the fact that the offences, for which the petitioner/accused has been charged, are not grave in nature", the Court allowed the plea.

Mr. Gurmeet Singh, Advocate with Mr. S.K. Kanojia, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Pardeep Bajaj, D.A.G., Punjab.

Mr. Shubham Mirok, Advocate for the respondent No.2.

2024 LiveLaw (PH) 206

 PRITPALJIT SINGH SANGHA V. STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANOTHER

 Click here to read/download the order