Punjab CM Rules Out Arbitrary Action, Without Due Procedure, Against Anyone in Ludhiana Clu Case

Chandigarh, February 25: Amid uproar by the Opposition in the House on the issue, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday ruled out any arbitrary action against anyone in the Ludhiana CLU case, asserting that the law would take its own course in the matter. Intervening during the Zero Hour in the Vidhan Sabha, where the issue was raised by Akali and AAP members, the Chief Minister made it clear that he would not hang anyone by the noose on the basis of media reports or to satisfy the Opposition, which has been baying for Cabinet Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu.

Lashing out at the Opposition over their demand for Ashu’s expulsion on the basis of unfounded allegations, the Chief Minister said the Local Government Department had already initiated an inquiry into the matter and due procedure would be followed to identify the guilty, before taking any action.

Punjab CM Rules Out Arbitrary Action

The Chief Minister asked the Opposition to stop trying to pre-empt the course of justice by jumping to conclusions without evidence, as that would amount to hindering the process of justice. Lambasting the Opposition for trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, Captain Amarinder Singh said his government had a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and political interference in administrative matters, and would not bend on that count under any circumstances.

At the same, however, the Chief Minister said there was no question of bowing to Opposition pressure to take action against anyone without following the due course of law, and without having sufficient evidence in the case. If any anomaly or misdemeanor is found with regard to issuance of land clearance certificate to any realtor, strict action would be taken against the guilty, he assured the House.