ECI to probe if Sukhbir hid bail info

Kulwinder Sandhu

Tribune News Service

Moga, January 24

The Election Commission of India has asked the Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab to probe the allegation against Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal furnished incomplete information and submitted a false affidavit while filing his nomination papers from Jalalabad.

The matter pertains to an attempt-to-murder case against Sukhbir, which was registered at Kotkapura police station in Faridkot on June 30, 2006. Naresh Sehgal, who had lodged the complaint, alleged that Sukhbir did not disclose that he was released on bail by the District and Sessions’ Judge, Faridkot, and the case was still pending under appeal.

Further, it is learnt that the District Magistrate was looking into the role of the SDM-cum-Returning Officer, Jalalabad, in giving a clean chit to Sukhbir for “concealing” the information in his nomination papers.

A report from the DIG, Faridkot Range, has also been summoned on the directions of the ECI to ascertain the facts.

Sehgal, meanwhile, has demanded the cancellation of Sukhbir’s nomination. He has also sought police protection claiming that he and his family had started receiving threats.