Ludhiana court issues notices to Union Minister Ravneet Bittu, Congress leaders in protest case

Ludhiana: A Ludhiana court has issued notices to Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu and senior Congress leaders Bharat Bhushan Ashu and Sanjay Talwar, asking them to appear on March 17 in connection with a protest outside the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation.

The court, presided over by Judge Jugraj Singh, took cognisance of the charge sheet filed by the Ludhiana Police and directed the leaders to respond.

The case stems from a protest on February 27, 2024, when Bittu—then a Congress leader—along with Ashu and Talwar, locked the Zone-A headquarters of the Municipal Corporation, alleging corruption. During the demonstration, they reportedly clashed with a security guard and police personnel.

Following a complaint by chowkidar Amit Kumar, police registered an FIR under sections 186 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of duty) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from duty) of the IPC.