The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday slammed state minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for his decision to continue working on ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’. While hearing a petition against the decision of the cricketer-turned- politician, the court questioned ‘is everything about legality and nothing about morality?’
After taking charge as a Punjab minister, he had said that he will continue to be part of ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’.
As per the Code of Conduct for ministers, after assuming charge office, and so long as they remain in office, they should refrain from starting, or joining any business.
Chandigarh lawyer and petitioner HC Arora had said that the minister should not be a part of the comedy show and called it “an open abuse of office.” Arora had sought a restraining order against Sidhu’s participation on the show claiming that a public servant cannot be allowed to do private business.
He had also stated that if Sidhu can be allowed to be a part of a television show, then why should government servants be barred from doing business while in jobs.
On his decision to continue doing the show, his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu had earlier said: “Such hype has been created about Navjot earning a living from television. When I was working as a MLA, my electricity bill and tea for guests costed more. We have no other business or source of income except television. He has left 80 percent of shows which included IPL, commentator etc. Shooting for 2 shows of comedy night with Kapil takes only 5 hours in a week and that also mostly on Saturday night. I think it is a meagre time for a non socially active God fearing workaholic.”
The hearing in the case has been deferred till May 11.
