Punjab & Haryana HC Stays FIR Against Youth Congress Leader Contesting Lok Sabha Polls Against Ex-CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Issues Notice On Plea For Quashing

The Punjab & Haryana High Court today, has issued notice on plea filed by Youth Congress leader Divyanshu Budhiraja, seeking quashing of a case registered against him for his alleged failure to appear before the trial court in a criminal case. Budhiraja, is contesting from Haryana's Karnal Lok Sabha seat against former Chief Minister ML Khattar.

The plea stated that Budhiraja was booked in 2018 under Section 3-A of the Prevention of Defacement to Public Property Act, 1984 due to "political vendetta." However, he was granted bail in the matter in 2021. On May 03, a Panchkula Court granted bail to Budhiraja, after he surrendered before the Court.

Justice Kuldeep Tiwari while issuing notice to the Haryana Government stayed further proceedings arising out of the FIR.

In December 2023, Budhiraja had been declared as a proclaimed offender by the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Panchkula and a fresh FIR was registered against him in January under Section 174A IPC.

The youth congress leader submitted that his application for exemption from personal appearance was "dismissed in a very arbitrary manner" in 2022 and a non-bailable warrant of arrest was issued against him.

The counsel for the petitioner submitted today, that the youth leader has been granted regular bail in the main case and an application has been moved under Section 4 of the Prevention of Defacement to Public Property Act, 1984 to compound the offence.

After hearing the submissions, the Court issued notice to the Haryana Government and directed to stay proceedings arising out of the FIR registered under Section 174A IPC.

The matter is listed for August 22, for further consideration.

Partap Singh and Parth Singh, Advocates for the petitioner.

Case: Divyanshu Budhiraja v. State of Haryana

A detailed order is awaited.