SAD president says he answered all questions during two-hour session

Chandigarh, 20 July (H.S.): Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of using the investigation into the Behbal Kalan police firing case to divert attention from controversies surrounding the Chief Minister’s alleged conduct concerning Sikh religious figures and institutions.

Badal appeared before the Special Investigation Team in connection with the 11-year-old Behbal Kalan firing case and was questioned for nearly two hours. After the session, he said he had answered every question put to him by the investigating officers.

“This is the fourth time I have been called, and the SIT continues to ask the same questions,” Badal said. He claimed that his previous statements had already been recorded on camera and documented in the SIT registers.

The SAD president alleged that the latest questioning was politically motivated and that the questions appeared to have been prepared to provide political advantage to the Aam Aadmi Party. He said he had always responded promptly to the summons because he wanted those responsible for the firing incident to be brought to justice.

However, Badal alleged that the SIT had been constituted not to punish the guilty but to politicise the case. He described the summons as a “drama” and a diversionary tactic by the state government.

Thousands of SAD workers and supporters gathered near the Punjab Police Officers Institute to express solidarity with Badal. Despite heavy rain, party workers raised slogans against the AAP government and declared that they would oppose what they described as a political vendetta.

Addressing the supporters, Badal thanked them for turning up in large numbers and said their presence had sent a clear message that the party would not tolerate the politics of falsehood and intimidation.

Badal also accused the AAP government of failing to properly investigate incidents of sacrilege in Punjab. He claimed that 597 sacrilege cases had been reported in the state during the past decade and alleged that inadequate investigation had resulted in acquittals and the cancellation of several cases.

He further accused Bhagwant Mann of confronting Sri Akal Takht Sahib, warning that those who challenge the highest temporal institution of the Sikhs ultimately face defeat.

Senior SAD leaders Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Bikram Singh Majithia, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Sikandar Singh Maluka, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, Hira Singh Gabria, Paramjit Singh Sarna, N K Sharma and Arshdeep Kler accompanied Badal during his appearance.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH