Appear tomorrow, probe official tells Sidhu, his wife
AMRITSAR : Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu have been summoned by the special executive magistrate conducting an inquiry into the October 19 Amritsar train tragedy in which 61 people were killed.
Jalandhar divisional commissioner B Purushartha, who is conducting the inquiry, on Wednesday asked the Sidhu couple to appear before him on November 2 (Friday).
Navjot Kaur, a former legislator and ex-chief parliamentary secretary, was the chief guest at the Dussehra function near Jaura Phatak when the DMU (diesel multiple unit) train crushed those standing on the tracks. Opposition leaders and locals alleged that Navjot Kaur had fled the scene after the train mowed down the people.
There are allegations that the event was organised without mandatory permissions, which had to be given by the municipal corporation which falls under the local government department headed by minister Sidhu.
The main organiser of the event, Saurabh Madan Mithu, is also said to be close political aide of the Sidhu couple. Mithu, his family members and other organisers were questioned by the inquiry commission on Tuesday for over four hours.
After recording his statement, Mithu said he had furnished all evidences and answered all questions put up to him by the magistrate. He, however, refused to divulge more details. Mithu has been claiming that he had taken all permissions from the MC.
“So far, 75 eyewitness and 35 officials of different departments, including Punjab Police, local bodies, improvement trust and Indian Railways, have got their statements recorded,” said Purushartha. The commission has been asked to submit its report within four weeks. Purushartha said he would l submit the report to the state government before the deadline.