Delhi Assembly speaker gets 6-month jail term in trespassing case

The ACMM convicted Goel, Sumit, Hitesh Khanna, Atul Gupta and Balbir Singh under IPC section 448, and sentenced them to six months in jail and a fine of Rs 1,000 each. Sumit was also found guilty under IPC section 323 and sentenced to one month in prison with a fine of Rs 1,000. Both sentences will run concurrently.

Goel told The Indian Express, “I will continue with my duties as an MLA; there is no restriction. On Monday, I am filing an appeal in a sessions court. I am a law abiding citizen and have nothing to fear.” The court has granted the accused persons bail of Rs 10,000 each so they can appeal to a sessions court.

As per court records, Goel and the other accused allegedly raided the complainant’s house in Vivek Vihar on February 6, 2015. Goel had accused the complainant of stashing liquor for distribution, damaged his property and raised slogans.

“The offence was not committed out of any compulsion, poverty or adventurism of youth. It was committed for political reasons, which is not a trivial matter,” said the court.