Monday, January 31 2005 12:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Yamunanagar: A local court today (Jan 31, 2005) granted bail to HRD Minister Arjun Singh in a defamation case filed by a state RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) leader in connection with a speech made by the Minister in August last year.

Singh, who appeared in the court, was granted bail by the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Jagadhari, Atul Marya on a surety of Rs 10,000.

The Magistrate had directed Singh among others to present themselves before him for the hearing on a petition filed by RSS Haryana Sangh Chalak Darshan Lal Jain.

The summons were issued in relation to a speech made by Singh at a meeting in Delhi on August 8 last year.

Editor-in-Chief of 'The Hindu' N Ram, printer of the newspaper Bala Chandran, publishers Kasturi and Sons, who were directed by the court to be present for the hearing did not appear before the Magistrate.

Arjun Singh also moved an application through his counsel seeking personal exemption from appearance in the court during subsequent hearing.

The court issued notice to the complainant asking him to file his reply after lunch when the application of the Union Minister would be taken up.