The court has fixed May 19 as the next date of hearing. Speaking outside the court, Swaran Singh, who had alleged that he was branded by some jail officials on May 1 around 11 p.m. and the word ``daku'' written in Punjabi on his back with a hot knife. He also said that efforts were being made to persuade him to withdraw charges.

Swaran Singh alleged that Balwant Singh Majitha, SHO, Phase-8, SAS Nagar, had registered a false case of car theft against him. He said the car owner was ready to file an affidavit in court that his car had not been stolen by Swaran Singh, but the police were pressurizing him against this.

Swaran Singh further said that he was a resident of Ludhiana and practicing Aurvedic (BAMS) doctor. He said that a quarrel with the son of then Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) had landed him in trouble since July 15, 1991, and he had been booked for several false cases by the Punjab police. He also showed his back on which the word ``daku'' in Punjabi was written allegedly by some jail officials. But the police party accompanying him did not allow clicking a picture of his back.