Plea for additional charges against Henry dismissed

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 11

In a partial reprieve for former Congress minister Avtar Henry ahead of the Assembly elections, the Special NRI Court here dismissed an application seeking framing of charges against him under the Passport Act, Foreigners Act, Official Secrets Act and Sections 181, 182, 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC.

The application for addition of charges was moved by Gurjeet Sanghera, son from the first wife of Avtar Henry, in September 2014.

The court is already hearing a case against Henry under Section 125 A of the Representation of the People Act.

HS Grewal, counsel for Sanghera, said: “We will approach the sessions court for addition of charges. The main case against Henry on since October 2013 will continue”.

VK Sareen, counsel for Henry, said: “The arguments in the case were heard at length yesterday after which the court today dismissed the application perhaps finding no ground for framing of charges.”

On September 17, 2014, Sanghera had demanded that the charge under Section 5 of the Foreigner’s Act be added as his father had changed his name from Avtar Singh Sanghera to Avtar Henry, while also changing his date of birth and father’s name in the records. He had also demanded that Henry be tried under Section 12 of the Passport Act saying that he held passports of two countries — UK and India — at the same time.

The case

On September 17, 2014, Gurjeet Sanghera, son from the first wife of former Congress minister Avtar Henry, had demanded that the charge under Section 5 of the Foreigner’s Act be added as his father had changed his name from Avtar Singh Sanghera to Avtar Henry, while also changing his date of birth and father’s name in the records. He had also demanded that Henry be tried under Section 12 of the Passport Act saying that he held passports of two countries — UK and India — at the same time