SC scraps SAD chief Badal’s plea to quash 2017 defamation case

The Supreme Court on Friday declined to intervene in criminal defamation proceedings against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, in relation to alleged remarks connecting the religious organization Akhand Kirtani Jatha (AKJ) with the banned terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The court dismissed Badal's challenge to the proceedings, initiated by an AKJ member who claimed Badal's comments damaged his reputation by linking him to the banned organization.

The bench stated that they had read the order and inquired about the specific allegations against Badal. The complainant, who identifies himself as the spokesperson for the other organization, raised doubts about who authorized him to make such claims. Badal's legal representative argued that the complainant's status as a spokesperson was unverified.

The controversy originated during the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections, when then Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal visited Singh's residence, leading Badal to accuse Kejriwal of reaching out to "radicals" in Punjab. A Chandigarh magistrate took up the case, summoning Badal. Badal had previously challenged the proceedings before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which rejected his appeal in October 2025.

Badal then sought intervention from the Supreme Court, which found no grounds to interfere with the pending legal proceedings.