4 NRIs booked under Jalandhar Cong leader’s pressure: SAD

The Shiromani Akali Dal MLA from Nakodar, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, on Friday accused police of falsely implicating four non-resident Indians (NRI) in a case of deterring a public servant from discharge of duty, under pressure from a Congress sarpanch.

Addressing a press conference in Jalandhar, Wadala said Taranjit Singh, a Canadian citizen and native of Talwara village, had reached India on Monday to attend a wedding. On Thursday, a case was registered against him and his three relatives—Sadhu Singh, Chetan Singh and Bhupinder Singh—at Jalandhar (Rural) police station.

Wadala alleged that on Tuesday, sarpanch Balwinder Singh started damaging a road outside the residence of Sadhu Singh’s neighbour Satinder Singh. When Sadhu and others stopped him, arguing that the road was part of Satinder’s private property, the sarpanch allegedly started arguing with them and left.

“However, on Wednesday, he filed a complaint against the four non resident Indians (NRIs). Under pressure from the Congress, police have booked them without any inquiry,” Wadala claimed.

He added that even the block development and panchayat officer (BDPO) recommended action “merely on the basis of the sarpanch’s complaint”. “He did not verify the land records,” he alleged.

The four NRIs were also present at the press conference.

Meanwhile, police said a case under sections 353 (criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) and 506 (criminal intimidation) has been registered following the block development and panchayat officer’s recommendation. Sarpanch Balwinder Singh could not be contacted for his comments.

TARANJIT SINGH, A CANADIAN CITIZEN, IS IN INDIA TO ATTEND A WEDDING; HE AND THREE OTHERS HAVE BEEN BOOKED AFTER A CONGRESS SARPANCH COMPLAINED AGAINST THEM