Patna: In a major reprieve to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Patna High Court on Monday stayed the proceedings against him at a subordinate court in Bettiah in connection with a complaint accusing him of "making anti-Bihari statement."
Justice Sima Ali Khan stayed the proceedings of the chief judicial magistrate (Bettiah) after hearing a petition filed on behalf of the chief minister by senior advocate and BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad.
The court, however, asked the complainant Murad Ali to clarify his stand in the case through affidavit.
Prasad said Chouhan had already clarified his stand in his statement where he denied having made any remarks against Biharis.
Chief judicial magistrate (Bettiah) had on November 11 ordered registration of a case against Chouhan in connection with the complaint filed by Ali.
Ali in his petition had accused the MP Chief Minister for "having hurt sentiments of Biharis" by making a statement in Satna on November 6, 2009 regarding jobs in Madhya Pradesh.
PTI
First Published: Monday, December 14, 2009, 15:56