Capt ridicules Badal for trying to divert attention from SIT probe in sacrilege cases

Rozana Spokesman

News, Punjab

Captain Amarinder Singh has ridiculed Akali Dal leader and his predecessor, Parkash Singh Badal, for the latter’s desperate attempts...

Captain Amarinder Singh

Spokesman News Service: Chandigarh, November 17: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ridiculed Akali Dal leader and his predecessor, Parkash Singh Badal, for the latter’s desperate attempts to divert public attention from the ongoing SIT investigation against him in the Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan firing cases by claiming it to be politically motivated.

Reacting to Badal’s statement that the SIT was working under his “influence”, the Chief Minister said that the government’s job was over after it abided by the unanimous decision of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and formed the investigating team. “SIT is an independent entity and the government has no role in its functioning”, said the chief minister, adding that it was now up to the investigating officers to carry out the investigations in the manner they deem fit.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, the Chief Minister said that the SIT comprises highly competent officers and they are free to summon and question anyone. “If anyone is found guilty by them, they will make a report and submit it to the court for further action”, he said, adding that his government had no role whatsoever either in the ongoing investigations or their outcome.

The Chief Minister said that it was absolutely ridiculous for Badal to even suggest that the SIT report will be written by Punjab’s Advocate General. “Unlike you, Mr Badal, I believe in the law of the land and fair investigations”, said the Chief Minister.

Accusing Badal of playing the victim and indulging in theatrics by claiming that no democratically elected Chief Minister had been ever called for questioning in independent India, the Chief Minister said that it seems age had caught up with him and he was suffering from amnesia. “Under your government, I was summoned and questioned by the police on frivolous charges at the Patiala circuit house”, said the Chief Minister, while advising Badal to face the investigations as a law-abiding citizen.