Chaudhary Lal Singh
Chaudhary Lal Singh (born 2 February 1959) is an Indian politician and a member of the 12th Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir. He was Minister for Forest, Environment, Ecology of J&K in PDP-BJP coalition government in J&K.[3] He represents the Basohli constituency in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and is president of the Dogra Swabhimaan Sangathan.
Chaudhary Lal Singh | |
---|---|
![]() Chaudhary Lal Singh speaking at a program at Billawar, Kathua | |
Minister for Forest,Environment, Ecology [1] | |
In office 1 March 2015 – 14 April 2018 | |
Chief Minister | Mufti Mohammed Sayeed |
Preceded by | President's Rule |
Succeeded by | Rajeev Jasrotia |
Constituency | Basohli |
Member of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly[2] | |
Constituency | Basohli |
Personal details | |
Nationality | Indian |
Political party | Dogra Swabhimaan Sangathan |
Spouse | Kanta Andotra |
Residence(s) | 2, Police Lines Road, Down Town, Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir |
Website | www |
Political career
Singh started his political career as a student leader. He was elected as MLA from Basholi constituency in 1996 J&K Assembly elections. He was re-elected as MLA from Basohli constituency in the 2002 J&K Assembly Elections. He was inducted into the state cabinet as Minister for Health and Medical Education in Congress-PDP coalition government. After that he was elected as MP in 14th Lok Sabha in 2004 from Udhampur constituency. He was again elected as MP from there in the 15th Lok Sabha in 2009.[4]
Change in Political Affiliation
In August 2014, Singh parted ways with Congress after being denied ticket as Congress candidate during 16th Lok Sabha elections. He formally joined Bhartiya Janata Party in presence of BJP President Amit Shah at a function in Kathua.[5] He was sacked by the BJP[6] as he distorted evidence in the rape trial.[7][8]
CBI Probe against Chaudhary Lal Singh
CBI initiates probe into education trust run by former J&K Minister Chaudhary Lal Singh[9]
High Court pulls up ex-minister
The Jammu & Kashmir High Court pulled up the ex-disgraced minister on matters pertaining to accommodation. [10][11]
Controversy
In March 2015, a female doctor in J&K sought the registration of a criminal case against Singh for allegedly misbehaving with her in public. Dr. Gurmeet Kour, the state-run hospital registrar for Psychiatry Diseases, said Minister for Health and Medical Education Choudhary Lal Singh shouted at her in public, leaving her "mentally harassed and wrecked". Singh claimed that was an attempt to prevent him from bringing an improvement in the health facilities in J&K.[12] In July 2015, Singh was criticized for touching the collar of a female doctor to fold that correctly in a government hospital in Kashmir.[13]
In 2018 he attended a rally in support of the accused rapists in the Kathua Rape and Murder case.[14][15] Singh defended his attendance at the rally, stating that he was there to "defuse the situation". Nonetheless, Singh resigned as a result of the controversy.[16]
References
- "Council of Ministers : J&K Govt."
- "Basohli- J&K Assembly Election 2014"
- "BJP minister in Jammu and Kashmir 'fixes' woman doctor's collar, image goes viral".
- "Chaudhary Lal Singh :: Personality of Jammu province" Archived 22 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- "Former Congress MP Lal Singh joins BJP" Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- "Lal Singh, who quit as J&K minister over Kathua rape row, resigns from BJP". Hindustan Times. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- "Post-Kathua Sacking, Trouble Mounts for Lal Singh for 'Damaging' BJP's Image". The Wire. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- Zargar, Safwat. "Rebel's revenge? Sacked BJP minister Lal Singh may spoil the party's plan to sweep Jammu again". Scroll.in. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- "CBI initiates probe into education trust run by former J&K Minister Chaudhary Lal Singh". The Economic Times. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- KO (26 December 2022). "Ex- Minister In Dock: Why Did HC Pull Up Lal Singh - Kashmir Observer". Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- PTI (15 November 2022). "J-K HC dismisses ex-minister Choudhary Lal Singh's plea against eviction notice". ThePrint. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- Sharma, Arun (12 March 2015). "Woman doc alleges public misconduct by J&K BJP minister". The Indian Express. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- "Jammu and Kashmir: BJP Minister Chaudhary Lal Singh touches woman doctor's collar, image goes viral". DNA. Press Trust of India. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- "Cold sweat gave Sanji Ram away, says police officer probing Kathua rape and murder". www.telegraphindia.com.
- "Fresh trouble for Chaudhary Lal Singh: Former J&K forest minister accused of bending rules to supply cutch wood to factories - Firstpost". www.firstpost.com. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
- "Kathua rape case: BJP leader Choudhary Lal Singh defends participation in rally, says it was to restore normalcy in state". Firstpost.