‘Govt never cancelled FIR against Akali workers’
JALANDHAR:REJECTING Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Badal’s claim, Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar on Sunday said the state government has not cancelled the FIR registered against Akali workers.
Police on Thursday had booked nine persons, including four SAD leaders, at Mallanwala town of Ferozepur district on charges of attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and rioting in an incident of election-related violence.
Those booked include SAD leaders Vardev Singh Mann, Avtar Singh Minna, former party MLA Joginder Singh Jindu, Balwinder Singh.
“The case against the Akali workers still stands. The chief minister has forwarded the case file to the crime branch and a proper procedure will be followed to take action against the guilty,” Jakhar, who was flanked by local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and Congress MLAS, said while addressing a press conference here.
He said as per the rules, no FIR can be cancelled immediately and a proper procedure has to be followed.
“There is no chance that the guilty will go scot free without any action,” the Gurdaspur MP said.
Demanding cancellation of the case, Sukhbir, former revenue minister Bikram Majitha and hundreds of party workers blocked highways across the state on Thursday and Friday.
They called off the protest after a Dig-level officer assured them that the FIR registered against the Akali workers at the Mallanwala police station will be cancelled.
FIRS against Sukhbir, Akali MLAS and hundreds of leaders were also registered for blocking highways at different places in the state.
On the assurance of FIR cancellation by police, the PPCC chief said an action against will be initiated in this matter against the police personnel.
Taking a dig at Sukhbir, Sidhu said, “You reap what you sow. This is what exactly he is getting for his sins he had committed during the SAD-BJP’S 10-year rule in Punjab.”
He reiterated the Congress government will soon act against Majithia for his alleged links with drug dealers.