'Gullak Chori' Row: Court Issues Notice to AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj & Others
Rouse Avenue Court issues notices to AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, and Kapil Kumar over defamation complaint by Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
The Rouse Avenue Court has stepped into a heated political battle, issuing notices to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj and MLAs Sanjeev Jha and Kapil Kumar. The move comes following a defamation complaint lodged by Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who alleges that the AAP leaders launched a smear campaign against him and his family.
The Allegations: 'Gullak Chori' and Rice Theft
According to the complaint, the AAP leaders held a press conference where they levelled several serious and false accusations against Manjinder Singh Sirsa. The claims included allegations of "Gullak Chori" (theft from donation boxes), "Chawal Chori" (rice theft), and a massive financial scam.
Sirsa detailed the staggering figures mentioned in these allegations, stating that the AAP leaders claimed he was involved in:
- A "Gullak Chori" amounting to Rs 400-450 crores.
- Rice theft totaling Rs 600 crore every single month.
- A broader scam involving a massive sum of Rs 11,000 crores.
Deep Cultural Wound: The Significance of 'Gullak'
In a poignant statement recorded by the court, Sirsa emphasized that the term "Gullak Chori" is not just a legal accusation but a profound insult within the Sikh community. He explained that the Gullak holds immense significance in Sikhism, and attributing such a theft to him is one of the worst sins a person can be accused of in the faith.
Sirsa further alleged that this was not an isolated incident, claiming that Saurabh Bharadwaj had used the term "Gullak Chor" against him multiple times in the past.
Impact on Reputation and Family
The Delhi Minister expressed that these allegations, which spread rapidly across mainstream and social media, have caused irreparable damage to his global standing. He noted that people who had known him for years and respected his integrity had begun to avoid him or question him regarding the alleged thousands of crores in scams.
"I have always been looked upon as a man of reputation and impeccability, and the manner in which the matter has been published and portrayed by the proposed accused injured my reputation immensely beyond repair," Sirsa stated.
He added that the imputations specifically lowered his image among those associated with the activities of Gurudwaras and the wider Sikh community worldwide.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) issued the notices to Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, and Kuldeep Kumar to provide them an opportunity to file their responses at the pre-cognisance stage. The court's decision followed the recording of statements from Sirsa and three witnesses: Gurdev Singh, Gurjeet Singh, and Abhisek Sharma.
Sirsa was represented by Advocate Yogender Handoo. The complaint also mentions that Sirsa had previously served a legal notice to Bharadwaj and Jha, demanding a public retraction of the allegations and an apology for the harm caused to his reputation.
The matter is now scheduled for a hearing on November 18.