AAP govt raking up 2015 police firing cases to divert attention: SAD chief
Darpan News Desk IANS, 14 Sep, 2022 01:23 PM
Chandigarh, Sep 14 (IANS) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal said on Wednesday that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab is raking up the Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan cases purely to divert people's attention from its 'scandals'.
The SAD chief, who was questioned by the SIT regarding the Kotkapura firing case which occurred in 2015, said all police actions are part of a laid down procedure.
"The decisions are taken by the administration. I am repeatedly being asked questions about the firing incident even though it is clear that this action was taken by the authorised officer," he said.
Asking the SIT to be fair and objective, Sukhbir Badal, who was questioned for the second time this month for nearly five hours, told the media, "I am ready to face questioning 100 times, but this issue should not be politicised."
He said it is shocking that despite the high court direction that there would not be any interference in the functioning of the SIT, which is to report directly to it, AAP minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal is issuing statements that the SIT is likely to arrest him any time.
"Under what authority is he making such statements," Badal asked, adding that the minister is liable to be prosecuted for contempt of court.
Asserting that the AAP government is also following in the footsteps of the previous Congress government, Badal said, "I am being summoned repeatedly to divert attention from the scandals of this government, the latest one being the extortion scam of minister Fauja Singh Sarari."
Stating that there were three cases which were being investigated, Badal said while investigation into the main case of sacrilege at Bargari was over with the AAP government submitting the final challan in the case, the two cases of firing at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura are being probed now.
"People want the culprits in all these cases to be brought to book and punished for their deeds, but this government is only playing politics on this issue," he said.
Speaking about the role of former IG-turned AAP legislator Kunwar Vijay Pratap, the SAD President said the former IG had fabricated evidence to embroil the senior SAD leadership in false cases.
Rejecting the "blemished and manufactured" investigation carried by him, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had held that his "political theatrics" during the probe were clearly established, said the SAD president, adding, "I am hopeful that he will get the punishment for his wrongdoings."
Badal added that similarly, a false case has also been registered against former minister Bikram Majithia.
When questioned about 'Operation Lotus', Badal said, "There is smoke only where there is fire. It is clear that the AAP legislators are up for grabs. That is why a value is being put on them. They should not become ready partners to switch sides. Then no one will solicit their support or offer to purchase it."
According to the ED sleuths, five parking slots were reserved for Arpita Mukherjee at the Diamond City complex. And as per records five high-end vehicles, which include two Mercedes Benz vehicles, one Honda City, one Honda CR-V and Audi A4, were parked there till July 22 evening when the Central agency sleuths started raiding her flat in this housing complex.
A spokesperson for the Vigilance Bureau said during the investigation of a complaint, it was found that accused Bikrmajit Singh has misappropriated the money by misusing account IDs, passwords and details of other employees and bank managers during his posting in the bank from 2011 to 2016.
Sidhu's mother Charn Kaur also got his face inked besides 'Shubh Sarwan Putt'. Moosewala, whose real name was Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, 28, was shot dead while driving his vehicle in Mansa district on May 29, a day after his security cover was withdrawn.
The IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families, it said, adding that a court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. The aircraft had took off from Uttarlai airbase and crashed near Bhimda village.
The videos of LPG cylinders, cars and other vehicles floating on streets amid gushing water are going viral on social media. Officials said that rain started to pour the city on Monday evening which continued till Wednesday leaving residents stranded as streets were water clogged bringing traffic to a standstill.
The vessel, worth around Rs 30 crore, was allgedly being used by by Pankaj Mishra, a close aide of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. It was being operated illegally without having any permit from Sukargarh Ghat, Sahebganj, the agency said, adding that the vessel was seized during a search operation conducted on Tuesday.
