New Delhi: Former cricketer and MP Navjyot Singh Sidhu looked disturbed but certainly not shattered after being announced the court’s sentence of three-years imprisonment for his involvement in the murder of Gurnaam Singh in 1988.
The jovial sardar-a candid host on the popular TV show Laughter Challenge and a cricket commentator with a difference—known for his queer one-liners, Sidhu had been convicted by the Punjab High Court last week for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Sidhu’s sentence has been suspended till January 31, which means he will not be arrested.
Sidhu’s friend and co-host on Laughter Challenge, Shekhar Suman says Sidhu’s conviction has shocked him, for the equation he shared with Sidhu only led him to believe that Sidhu was not the kind of man who would hit even a fly, let alone killing someone in cold-blood.
"The show has gained a lot from Sidhu’s jovial presence. I do not know the legalities of the case against him but as a friend I know that Sidhu cannot even hit a fly, let alone killing a man," said Shekhar Suman
"Sidhu has been a great friend. He is an honest man. We never talked about the case and obviously it did not hold any merit. It was an old case and had no importance whatsoever. I do not understand how a case buried under the law for last 18 years has suddenly come up. May be there is some political vendetta behind this case against Sidhu," the actor added.
“Sidhu has the option of going to the Supreme Court. We have full faith in judiciary and that Sidhu will get justice in the end.”
— senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu
“I’m quite happy that the poor fellow has been let off leniently.”
— former Union law minister Ram Jethmalani
“Let the law take its course.”
— CPI-(M) leader Sitaram Yechury
"We are not going to accept any compensation from Sidhu. If the court gives us that amount we will send it to charity or may be Mr Sidhu can keep it."
— victim's nephew Jaswinder Singh
Ironically Suman has also been a hosting a satirical TV show—Poll Khol that mocks corrupt politicians and those who have charges against them. With Sidhu now being the second MP convicted and sentenced under a criminal case, wonder what does Mr Suman has to say about someone who has been a friend and co-host?
"Sidhu still has one chance. He will file an appeal and the case hasn’t been proved yet. I don’t think it would be fair to comment upon him as a convict. I think Sidhu should be given benefit of doubt," said Suman.
While the political reactions over Sidhu’s sentence have been swift, the victim Gurnam Singh’s family believes Sidhu has been let off lightly.
"We are not satisfies with the verdict. The sentence should have been much more than that. He has been exempted from being arrested. He should certainly have been arrested today and sent to the jail. We are not going to accept any compensation from Sidhu. If the court gives us that amount we will send it to charity or may be Mr Sidhu can keep it. We will give him a higher compensation if he admits the truth and goes to jail," victim's nephew Jaswinder Singh said.
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