High Court reserves judgment on transport policy petition

Shergill averred that since the allegations are against the chief minister and deputy chief minister of Punjab,he (Shergill) has little faith that agencies under the CM will do anything.

While he has also alleged that Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has stakes in PTC channel,in his reply,Sukhbir has termed the allegations “false and misleading”.

“Gurbaz Media Private Limited and G Next Media Private Limited are wholly owned subsidiary companies of Orbit Resorts Private Limited. However,both Gurbaz Media and G Next Media are separate legal entities. The respondent (Sukhbir) is neither a shareholder nor a director in these companies. However,he has substantial shareholdings in Orbit Resorts Private Limited. The control of Orbit Resorts Private Limited as a holding company has nothing to do with advertisements released to PTC channel run by these media companies. The advertisements are released on basis of government policy and popularity of the channels,” read Sukhbir’s reply.

It added that between 2007 and 2011,while a total of Rs 32 crore was spent by the public relations department on advertisements,Rs 6 crore was spent on advertisements in the electronic media. Out of this,Rs 73 lakh was given to PTC for advertisements placed before the respondent (Sukhbir) stepped in as deputy chief minister.

Sukhbir further stated: “From the date the respondent took over as the public relations minister,no fresh advertisements were issued to any of the PTC channels till date.”

Shergill argued that Sukbhir,by filing this reply,has admitted stakes in the channel and that a CBI case should be registered. The case has been reserved for final orders likely to be pronounced on Thursday.