Former Punjab MLA Simarjeet Bains sentenced to one year in defamation case

A Patiala court on Monday (October 19, 2026) sentenced former Punjab MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains to one year rigorous imprisonment in a defamation case filed by former state health minister Brahm Mohindra.

The verdict was delivered by Senior Judicial Magistrate Ekta Sahota.

The court ruled that Mr. Mohindra proved his case through oral and documentary evidence and found Bains guilty of defamation under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

“Therefore, the locus standi is answered in favor of the complainant…accused Simarjeet Singh Bains is hereby found guilty of committing the offense of defamation of the complainant which has lowered the reputation of the complainant in the eyes of the general public,” the court said.

The case dates back to 2018, when Bains alleged irregularities in the procurement of drugs for Punjab de-addiction centers, alleging a nexus between Mohindra and a pharmaceutical company.

Mr Mohindra subsequently filed a criminal complaint against Bains for defamation.

During the proceedings, the court found that Bains did not present sufficient concrete evidence to support his claims. He stated that these allegations damaged Mr. Mohindra’s social and political reputation.

Published – 19 October 2026 21:35 IST