Former DSP Balwinder Singh Sekhon also joins party; Niranjan Singh says no decision yet on contesting Assembly elections

Chandigarh, 23 September (H.S.): Former Enforcement Directorate (ED) Deputy Director Niranjan Singh on Wednesday joined the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, in the presence of party MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali and Tarseem Singh, father of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, who is currently lodged in Dibrugarh jail.

Former Punjab Police DSP Balwinder Singh Sekhon also joined the party during the event.

Welcoming Niranjan Singh into the party, MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali said his induction would strengthen the organisation. He said Niranjan Singh had played an important role in action against drug trafficking during his tenure.

After joining the party, Niranjan Singh expressed concern over the situation regarding drugs and corruption in Punjab. He said the prevailing situation in the state needs to be seriously questioned and discussed by society.

Asked whether he would contest the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, Niranjan Singh said he had not taken any decision on the matter yet. He said his decision to join the party followed a meeting between Manpreet Singh Ayali and Tarseem Singh at his residence in Jalandhar on Tuesday.

Niranjan Singh retired from the ED in May 2021. During his tenure, he was associated with the investigation of several high-profile drug cases, including the multi-crore Jagdish Bhola drug racket case. During the investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), he questioned several senior political leaders, including former ministers Bikram Singh Majithia and Sarwan Singh Phillaur.

Niranjan Singh was later transferred from Jalandhar to Kolkata. The transfer became the subject of proceedings before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, following which the transfer was subsequently cancelled.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH