Parkash Singh Badal is shielding Sukhbir, alleges Punjab Congress chief

Chandigarh: Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar on Wednesday accused former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal of "saving" his son Sukhbir Badal and "sacrificing" himself in the sacrilege of religious texts case and the following police firing at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan.

Jakhar said he was making these claims on the basis of the findings in the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report, according to which the former CM was "aware" of the proposed police action in the dispersing of protesters at Kotkapura in Faridkot.

"Sukhbir is being shielded by senior Badal. Parkash knows that he and his son are directly involved in the atrocious and unpardonable act", Jakhar said, while speaking to reporters here.

Just before his retirement, former DGP Sumedh Saini, in his reply to the commission, had admitted to talking to the then CM in connection with the law and order situation in Kotkapura.

"As per Saini's statement, it seems the father (Parkash Badal) is trying to save his son. Sukhbir's role, who also held the charge of home department, should be probed. His name was mentioned at three places in the report but not as home minister. Where was he (Sukhbir) when the firing took place," Jakhar asked.

Jakhar asserted that whoever was involved in the criminal acts will be examined by the special investigation team.

The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) demanded a thorough investigation into the dereliction of duty charges on Sukhbir when discharging duties as state home minister. Sukhbir was the state home minister as well as deputy CM in the last government.

Putting pressure on the Akali Dal, Jakhar, who is also Gurdaspur MP, asked Sukhbir to come clean on the police firing issue. Jakhar, flanked by two cabinet ministers Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, said the Congress has prepared a charge sheet against Sukhbir.