SIT TO QUIZ SUKHBIR IN CHANDIGARH TODAY

FARIDKOT: Following former deputy chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president’s request, the special investigation team (SIT), constituted to probe sacrilege cases, has decided to quiz him in Chandigarh instead of Amritsar on Monday.

In a letter to SIT head additional director general of police (ADGP) Parbodh Kumar on Saturday, Sukhbir said: “I am a lawabiding citizen and believe the probe in this matter should be independent, impartial and fair. I shall appear before the special investigation team (SIT) at your office in Chandigarh. I can also avail myself to you at any other place at Chandigarh as well.”

The SAD chief, who was the Punjab home minister when the police firing took place in Kotkapura on October 14, 2015, was asked to appear before the SIT at the Amritsar Circuit House on November 19.

The SIT had questioned former chief minister and Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal at his residence in Chandigarh on Friday and will quiz actor Akshay Kumar on November 21.

“We have considered the written request of Sukhbir to shift the venue of his questioning from Amritsar to Chandigarh. The decision has also been taken due to security concerns following Sunday’s grenade attack at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar,” said a SIT member, on the condition of anonymity.