At the very onset today, the counsel for the accused moved an application seeking Bhai Santa Singh's exemption from personal appearance.

The complainant, Jathedar Balbir Singh, had earlier alleged that the copies of a letter "fabricated" by the accused were circulated to the "administrators" and religious institutions, including Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee, for maligning him in public.

The letter, bearing the complainant's forged signatures, had warned Santa Singh of serious consequences and had asked him to leave the Takth. The complainant was enjoying the support of politicians and the police, the counsel for the complainant had stated.

During the preliminary evidence, the complainant had stated that the members of the SGPC, who had sought his explanation, were told that the signatures appearing on the letter had been forged and fabricated.

The letter was published in newspapers even though the scribes were aware that the news was false, he had added. he magistrate after hearing the arguments had summoned the accused along with the scribes under Section 469, 471, 500 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code.