Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday said God has always helped him in difficult times to sail through and that his life was dedicated to Punjab. He was reacting to the Supreme Court’s verdict sparing him jail term in the 1988 road rage case.
“I am thankful to all the people who supported me and stood by my side. Also I forgive all those who criticised me only for petty political gains. When you are on the side of truth there’s no need to worry,” he said here.
“My life is dedicated to Punjab. I live Punjab, I dream Punjab and I would continue to work towards the welfare of my State until it achieves the best,” he added.
Celebrations broke out at Mr. Sidhu’s house on the outskirts of Amritsar at Holy City colony soon after the Supreme Court reprieve. His wife, daughter, friends and relatives offered sweets to each other and danced to the beating of drums.
“Justice has been done,” Mr. Sidhu’s daughter Rabia said.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh hailed the verdict. “I welcome SC judgement in the road rage case against @sherryontopp. His acquittal on culpable homicide charges shows justice has prevailed. I’d always maintained that there was nothing wilful in his act, and the judges have also upheld the same. Law has duly taken its course,” Capt. Singh tweeted.
On April 12, the Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in the Supreme Court had favoured the High Court’s judgment convicting and awarding a three-year jail term to Mr. Sidhu.
At that time, the Chief Minister had maintained that his government had taken the only legally tenable stand in the apex court.
Punjab Sports Minister Gurmit Singh Sodhi also said the law has taken its own course and justice has been done, describing the verdict as a victory for the people of Punjab.
(With PTI inputs)
