Ludhiana: Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia recorded his statement in a criminal defamation case filed by him against AAP leader Sanjay Singh. Majithia had filed the case in January 2016, accusing Sanjay Singh of defaming him by dragging his name in the drug racket. 

The former Punjab revenue minister appeared in the court of Judicial Magistrate Jagjit Singh here and recorded his statement, alleging that it was a "well planned conspiracy of the AAP" to "defame him". "We have submitted in the court that it was an entire conspiracy by the AAP in the view of Punjab elections and they widely defamed Majithia for cheap political gains," his counsel Damanbir Singh Sobti alleged. 

Sanjay Singh was not present during hearing and his counsel Himmat Singh Shergill sought exemption on his behalf. Meanwhile, four other Akali Dal leaders Manpreet Ayali, Maheshinder Grewal, MLA Sharanjit Singh Dhillon and Youth Akali Dal leader Parminder Brar also recorded their statements, submitting that the allegations levelled by the AAP leader "harmed" his reputation. 

The court fixed the next date of hearing for January 24 when Majithia will be cross-examined by AAP leaders counsel. Shergill told reporters later, "We will be cross-examining Majithia during the next hearing." Asked about the reason for Sanjay Singhs absence, Shergill said, "He was preoccupied with some work." PTI