The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed the orders issued by the Additional Sessions Court of Fatehgarh Sahib directing Sikh preacher Sant Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale to personally appear in court in connection with a defamation case filed against him.
The defamation case was initiated by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Bhai Gurpreet Singh Randhawa, who alleged that defamatory and objectionable remarks were made against him by Sant Dhadrianwale during a religious gathering.
During the hearing before the High Court, legal representatives appearing on behalf of Sant Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale presented their arguments challenging the lower court’s orders. Following the proceedings, the High Court granted relief by staying the summons order, meaning Dhadrianwale will not be required to appear personally before the trial court for now. The stay will remain in effect until May 6, as per court directions.
Earlier, the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Fatehgarh Sahib, while hearing the matter on March 24, 2026, had fixed April 17 as the next hearing date and directed Sant Dhadrianwale to appear in person before the court.
The case dates back to 2019, when SGPC member Gurpreet Singh Randhawa filed a defamation complaint alleging that Sant Dhadrianwale made derogatory remarks against Sikh preacher Bhai Hari Singh Randhawa and his son during a religious congregation.
Subsequently, Randhawa challenged the earlier lower court decision through a revision petition before the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Fatehgarh Sahib. The revision court accepted the plea and ordered the lower court to summon Sant Dhadrianwale, leading to the present legal proceedings.
With the High Court’s latest intervention, personal appearance requirements have been temporarily suspended, and further hearings in the matter will continue as per judicial process.
