Chandigarh, Feb 05: A local court here today framed charges against Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal in a case of alleged misappropriation of Rs 20 lakh from the CM`s Relief Fund during her tenure as Chief Minister in 1996. The charges were framed under sections 109 IPC and 13(1)A and 13(3)B of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 in the court of special judge R S Baswana.
Bhattal, who was present in the court, said she did not plead guilty to the charges. The special judge fixed March 22 as the date for the commencement of proceedings against the Deputy Chief Minister.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier dismissed two petitions seeking a stay on framing of charges against her in the case.
Bureau Report