New Delhi, 03 September (H.S.):

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has turned Punjab into a “loot model”.

BJP leader and spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari held a press conference on Thursday, targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Chief Minister’s wife. He alleged that a purported syndicate was operating in Punjab, through which attempts were being made to influence cases with the help of intermediaries.

Bhandari claimed that he had come across certain audio recordings and other evidence that allegedly indicated the existence of a financial transaction network operating in Punjab in the name of getting rape cases withdrawn or closed. He alleged that the role of the Chief Minister’s Office in the matter should also be investigated.

During the press conference, Bhandari referred to an alleged audio recording and mentioned a person named Gurminder Chahal, whom he described as an intermediary. According to Bhandari, Chahal can allegedly be heard speaking to a relative of a rape accused in the recording and claiming that the Chief Minister had been informed about the case and was now involved in the matter.

Bhandari alleged that the conversation purportedly assures the accused’s relative that the process of withdrawing and closing the case could be facilitated, while also asking the person not to back out at a later stage.

He questioned whether any financial transactions were allegedly taking place to have such cases withdrawn or closed and whether there was any purported network through which money was being routed to the Chief Minister’s residence or the Chief Minister’s Office.

Bhandari said the audio recording, prima facie, raises serious questions and should be subjected to an impartial investigation. He alleged that a new model of corruption was emerging in Punjab, in which attempts were being made through intermediaries to influence sensitive criminal cases.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar