Manjit Manna Booked for Assaulting Party Worker in 2015

Baba Bakala (Punjab) : In a major legal development, non-bailable arrest warrants have been issued for former MLA Manjit Singh Manna, his brother Ranjit Singh, and an associate Harjit Singh in connection with a 2015 stabbing case involving a fellow party worker.

The warrants were issued by Judicial Magistrate Ramandeep Kaur of Baba Bakala Sahib court after the accused repeatedly failed to appear before the court despite multiple summons over the years.

The case dates back to September 18, 2015, during the tenure of the Akali government, when a violent altercation reportedly broke out at Khilchia police station over a property-related dispute.

Then-Akali MLA Manjit Singh Manna, along with his brother Ranjit Singh and others, allegedly attacked party worker Puran Singh with sharp weapons.The assault resulted in serious injuries, including the desecration of Puran Singh’s turban and beard, which deeply offended religious sentiments.

According to the complaint, despite being hospitalized at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar, and submitting a medical report, no legal action was taken by police at the time due to Manna’s political influence.

Puran Singh’s family also attempted to report the incident via the Punjab Police’s helpline, but received no justice.

In the absence of police action, Puran Singh moved the court under Section 156(3) of the CrPC through advocate V.K. Jaswal.Based on witness testimonies—including those of doctors, police officers, and eyewitnesses—the court summoned all accused under Sections 326, 324, 323, 341, 148, and 149 IPC on July 12, 2019, directing them to appear on August 8, 2019.

While a few accused, including Manna’s PA Harpreet Singh and Baldev Singh, appeared through their legal representatives, Manna, Ranjit Singh, and Harjit Singh continued to avoid court hearings for years, delaying proceedings.

Manjit Singh Manna, who once held influence as a contractor, MLA, and minister in the Akali-BJP alliance, later joined the BJP after being denied a ticket by the Akali Dal. Critics claim he used legal loopholes to evade justice for nearly a decade.

The police have been directed to act swiftly and arrest the absconding accused. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for June 12, 2025, where the court expects their physical presence.