CONG-AAP delegation meets EC, demands review of IG’S transfer
Says Akali Dal trying to derail SIT probe into firing incidents by misleading election watchdog
CHANDIGARH: A joint delegation of Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) met chief election commissioner in New Delhi on Tuesday to seek review of its decision to transfer IG Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh from the special investigation team (SIT) probing sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and killing of two youths in subsequent police firing in 2015.
In a letter to the EC, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, state minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, leader of opposition Harpal Singh Cheema and AAP MLAS Nazar Singh and HS Phoolka said the sacrilege is a highly emotive issue for people of Punjab and a commission of inquiry headed by justice Ranjit Singh (retd) had submitted its report in 2018 and Punjab assembly decided to form the SIT after debating on the report.
"Kunwar was a key member of SIT which has made substantial progress in the investigations. At this stage on the complaint of Akali Dal, the EC has directed the transfer of the key investigator. It appears that complete and true facts were not brought to the knowledge of the poll body.
“Akali Dal has been trying its best to delay investigation but they had not succeeded in their nefarious motives so far. A very valuable evidence was destroyed and tampered with during the Akali government. With great difficulty the SIT is collecting the lost evidence. Now, by filing a false complaint and misleading the EC, they have obtained the order of transfer which will not only delay the investigation but will also adversely affect the line of investigation," says the letter.
It adds that after the IG'S transfer the Akali Dal, specifically its president Sukhbir Badal, has started boasting of his influence in getting the main investigating officer transferred. "These developments have hurt the sentiments of the people. The delegation wants to bring facts to the notice of election commission and request for review of its decision.
SIKH OUTFITS HOLD PROTEST IN SANGRUR
SANGRUR The activists of Sikh outfits Gurmat Parcharak Granthi Ragi Sabha, Sikh Sadbhavna Dal and Shri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha held a protest outside the Sangrur deputy commissioner’s office demanding the transfer order of IGP Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, member of the special investigation team (SIT) probing sacrilege incidents of 2015, be taken back.
They burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal. “The probe is not a part of any political conspiracy. We will not tolerate such steps of the election commission,” said Bachittar Singh, president of Gurmat Parcharak Granthi Ragi Sabha.