MANSA, PUNJAB — The legal pressure on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann intensified on Tuesday as the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Rajinder Singh Nagpal issued a stern warning: appear in person on May 1, 2026, or face the cancellation of bail.
The directive comes after the Chief Minister failed to appear during the scheduled hearing on April 28, citing pressing official engagements. Adopting a strict judicial stance, the court dismissed the plea for exemption, noting that the trial has faced significant delays.
The Defamation Suit: A 2019 Fallout
The roots of this legal battle trace back to July 2019, following a high-profile political defection. Nazar Singh Manshahia, then the AAP MLA for Mansa, had resigned from the party to join the Congress.
In a subsequent press conference held in Sangrur, Bhagwant Mann—who was then a Member of Parliament—allegedly levelled serious accusations against Manshahia. The former MLA claims that Mann publicly accused him of:
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Accepting a bribe of ₹10 crore to switch political allegiances.
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Securing the Chairmanship of the Punjab Pollution Control Board as part of a “deal.”
Manshahia subsequently filed a criminal defamation case, asserting that these “baseless and objectionable” remarks were intended to malign his character and political career.
Chronology of the Court Proceedings
The case has seen several procedural hurdles over the last few years:
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October 20, 2022: The last date on which CM Mann appeared personally before the Mansa court.
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Video Conferencing Plea: The Chief Minister’s legal team recently moved a petition to allow his attendance via video link, citing security concerns and administrative responsibilities. The court rejected this request.
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April 28, 2026: The court expected the CM’s presence; however, his counsel filed an application for exemption, which was met with judicial dissatisfaction.
The Court’s “Strict Stance”
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Magistrate Nagpal observed that the grounds for repeated exemptions were “vague.” The court emphasized that the law applies equally to all citizens, regardless of their constitutional office.
“If the accused fails to appear on the next date of hearing (May 1), his bail bonds and surety bonds shall be cancelled and forfeited to the State,” the court order indicated, signaling that coercive measures could follow.
What Lies Ahead
As the May 1 deadline approaches, the Chief Minister faces a narrow window. Legal experts suggest that while his team could approach the High Court for a stay or relief, the Mansa court’s current trajectory suggests it is eager to proceed with the recording of statements.
If CM Mann appears on Friday, it will mark a significant moment in a trial that has remained in a state of flux for nearly four years. For Nazar Singh Manshahia, the order represents a step toward a long-awaited resolution in a case that continues to stir the political waters of Punjab.
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