The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday deferred the hearing to October 28 on a plea filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura, challenging his conviction in a 12-year-old molestation and assault case involving a woman from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community.
A single bench of Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya heard arguments from different parties but did not grant any interim relief to the MLA. The court observed that an order would be passed on the next date of hearing.
Lalpura, who represents Khadoor Sahib constituency in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment by a Tarn Taran court on September 10.
The trial court convicted him under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Specifically, the court awarded:
- 4 years’ imprisonment under the SC/ST Act
- 3 years under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty)
- 1 year under Section 506 (criminal intimidation)
- 1 year under Section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt)
The trial court also convicted six other co-accused in the case.
According to the prosecution, the incident took place on March 3, 2013, when the complainant, a woman belonging to the SC community, and her family had gone to a marriage palace on Goindwal Road, Tarn Taran, for a function. At the time, Lalpura was working as a taxi driver. The complainant alleged that she was assaulted by Lalpura and some policemen from Tarn Taran police who were among the accused.
During the hearing, Lalpura’s counsel highlighted the potential disqualification of the MLA under the Representation of the People Act if the conviction is not stayed. The court was informed that a failure to stay the conviction could lead to immediate disqualification and by-elections, which would cause irreversible consequences if the conviction is eventually overturned on appeal.
Lalpura, in his plea, claimed false implication due to a property dispute with one of the complainant’s relatives. He also argued that the offences under the SC/ST Act were not made out, asserting that:
- The complainant obtained her caste certificate only in 2018.
- There is no evidence to prove that Lalpura was aware of her caste at the time of the incident.
The high court has listed the matter for further hearing on October 28, when it is expected to pass orders on the plea for a stay on conviction. The outcome will be crucial, as Lalpura’s continuation as MLA depends on whether the court grants relief before any disqualification proceedings are triggered.
