Sidhu's conviction stayed by supreme court

India's Supreme Court has stayed the conviction of Navjot Singh Sidhu, the former opener. Sidhu was convicted last month of a charge similar to manslaughter and sentenced to three years in prison, but was released on temporary bail. The charges related to an incident in 1988 when he dragged an elderly man out of his car and showered him with blows after a road accident.

The unprecedented decision has opened a Pandora's Box of sorts because it is the first time in 57 years that a conviction of this nature has been stayed by the highest court in the land.

Sidhu had argued in his petition that under the People's Representation Act only a stay on his conviction would allow him to contest the forthcoming by-election for the Amristar parliamentary seat.