Allahabad High Court Grants Interim Relief to AAP MP Sanjay Singh, Stays Surrender Order Until August 22

The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow Bench on Wednesday granted interim relief to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh by staying the surrender order issued by a Sultanpur trial court until August 22. This decision allows Singh some respite from legal proceedings related to a protest held 23 years ago over water and electricity issues.

Justice Karunesh Singh Pawar issued the order on an application filed by Singh, requesting exemption from appearing before the Sultanpur trial court. The High Court found the revision petition filed by Singh, which seeks to overturn a previous sentence of three months issued by the lower court, to be worthy of hearing.

The Sultanpur court had initially sentenced Singh following a demonstration that took place decades ago. After a local sessions court rejected his appeal and upheld the surrender order, Singh turned to the High Court for relief. In his plea, he argued that the actions taken against him were disproportionate and appealed for acquittal.

In addition to legal arguments, Singh’s counsel highlighted his parliamentary responsibilities, noting that he is scheduled to attend the first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 on August 22. They argued that his presence at this meeting was crucial, further justifying the need for a stay on the surrender order.

The government’s lawyer opposed the plea, arguing that Singh should comply with the trial court’s order. However, the High Court, recognizing the significance of Singh’s legislative duties and the potential merits of his legal challenge, opted to postpone the surrender date, providing Singh a temporary relief.

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• Magistrate Having Jurisdiction Can’t Refuse Permission to Surrender: Kerala HC
• Bail Cannot be Denied Merely Because Co-Accused has not Surrendered: Supreme Court
• We Deprecate Such Order- Supreme Court Sets Aside Allahabad HC Order Directing No Coercive Action Till Surrender by Accused

The case is set for further hearing on August 22, where the High Court will review the merits of Singh’s revision petition and make decisions regarding the continuation of the stay or other adjustments to the legal proceedings. This case highlights the ongoing tension between judicial processes and parliamentary responsibilities, especially when it involves lawmakers with pending legal issues.