Navjot Sidhu released, accuses Centre of destabilizing Congress in Punjab

Cricket politician Navjot Singh Sidhu walked out of Punjab's Patiala Jail on Saturday evening after almost completing the Supreme Court's one-year rigorous imprisonment in the 1988 road violence case.

In his first public remarks after his release, Sidhu took aim at the Center and said there is no such thing as democracy at present. “Conspiracy to bring President's rule in Punjab. Minorities are the target. If you try to weaken Punjab, you will become weak,” he added.

Sidhu further compared Rahul Gandhi to a revolution and said he would shake up the government. “I was supposed to be released around noon, but they delayed it. They wanted the media people out. Whenever a dictatorship has come to this country, a revolution has also come and this time the name of that revolution is Rahul Gandhi. He will shake the government,” he said, according to reports. Before his release, a tweet from his official Twitter said that he would address the media outside Patiala jail after his release.

Earlier in the day, several Congress leaders and supporters gathered outside the jail to give the 59-year-old former cricketer a grand welcome after his release, chanting "Navjot Sidhu zindabad".
'Dhol' players were also arranged by his supporters standing outside the jail to welcome the cricketer-turned-politician.

Speaking to reporters at his residence on Saturday, Sidhu's son Karan Sidhu said the family was eagerly waiting for his release from jail. He said it had been a difficult time for the family but they were now happy to see him out of prison. “I suspect his release is being delayed by the presence of media and crowds. The prison authorities have assured me that he will be released today. They said he would be released at noon, but it is too late,” he said.

Several posters and hoardings of Navjot Sidhu were put up at many places in Patiala city to welcome Sidhu's supporters. Sidhu was sentenced by the Supreme Court in May 2022. Justices AM Khanwilkar and SK Kaul allowed a review petition filed by the victim's family questioning the sentence awarded to 58-year-old Sidhu. Soon after the Supreme Court's order, the former Punjab Congress chief surrendered.

The Supreme Court imposed a severe one-year sentence, which will end in May this year. He spent about 10 months in prison. The case continued for more than 33 years, from the Patiala High Court to the Supreme Court.