2nd SIT on Kotkapura firing, report in 6 months

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 7

Following pressure by Congress leaders and MLAs to ensure justice in the Kotkapura police firing case ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections, CM Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday set up a three-member SIT, headed by LK Yadav, ADGP, Vigilance Bureau, to probe the matter.

Rakesh Aggarwal, Commissioner (Ludhiana Range), and Surjit Singh, DIG (Faridkot Range), are the other two members.

The SIT will complete the probe in six months preferrably. As per the orders issued by the Home Department, the SIT would ensure compliance of the directions of the Punjab and Haryana HC, stipulating that there would be no interference from any quarter, internal or external, in the investigation process. A senior PPCC leader said resentment was building up among the MLAs in the wake of inordinate delay in finalising the SIT members. “The development will help abate the build-up, at least for the time being,” he said.

Supporting the resentful Congress leaders, Rajya Sabha MP Partap Bajwa said, “The leaders, worried about their future, want the government to act fast.”

In a letter to the CM, Bajwa said he was disappointed that no meeting of Punjab MPs had been called after the May 4 meet was cancelled.

PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar said the MLAs had already expressed their concerns with the CM. “The government is committed to punish the guilty,” he said.

The CM camp is, meanwhile, worried over reports of minister Sukhjinder Randhawa sorting out differences with Bajwa. Charanjit Channi is learnt to have played a key role in bringing the two leaders together. MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu is also learnt to have met some leaders and MLAs in Chandigarh today.