Akali Dal alleges police plot to obstruct nominations of opposition candidates, posts clip as ‘proof’

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday accused the Punjab Police of murdering democracy by allegedly preventing opposition candidates from filing nominations for the zila parishad and block samiti poll “at the behest of the ruling AAP” on the last day of the process. He also released an audio clip to support his claim.

AAP denied the charge as “baseless”, while the police maintained the clip was “fake” and “generated through AI”.

The clip, which Sukhbir shared on social media, purportedly carries a conversation between Patiala SSP Varun Sharma and other officers, discussing strategies to prevent opposition candidates from filing nomination. The Tribune could not independently verify the veracity of the recording. The SAD has also lodged a written complaint with the State Election Commission, demanding immediate suspension of the police officials involved and a probe by the CBI, NIA or any other central agency.

“AAP is bending rules to suppress opposition candidates, particularly of the SAD. The clip has the recording of a conference call the previous night among senior Patiala police officers,” the SAD president said. He alleged that the officers on the call were taking instructions from the SSP on “maintaining law and order” during the nomination process.

Those speaking in the purported recording, which soon went viral, can be heard discussing that if any wrongdoing is to be carried out, it should happen outside the nomination centres—in villages, homes or on the way.

Sukhbir alleged that several DSPs could be purportedly heard claiming they were acting in coordination with local politicians. “Even SP-ranked officers can be heard saying they will abide by the given directions,” he said.

An officer purportedly states that the “administration has no objection to the use of force, so long as candidates are obstructed from reaching the nomination centre”. A DSP purportedly says he is in touch with the local MLA for instructions, while another states he has spoken to the local leader, who is satisfied with the police conduct against opponents”.

A senior police officer from Patiala, however, dismissed the clip as “fabricated”, asserting that neither any such discussion took place nor instructions were issued. “A fake AI-generated video is being circulated on social media. It has been created with malicious intent to mislead the public, spread misinformation and disturb the law and order. Stringent legal action will be taken against the culprits,” the Patiala police said.

Leader of the Opposition and Congress MLA Partap Bajwa slammed the government. He urged the State Election Commission to take strict action and ensure free and fair polls. “This is complete lawlessness. I will also write to the Chief Election Commissioner,” said Bajwa.

BJP state president Sunil Jakhar said AAP, which was a part of the Congress-led INDIA bloc that had been “falsely” accusing others of vote theft, was itself preparing to “steal the entire election in Punjab by misusing the police”.

AAP spokesperson Neel Garg termed the allegations “baseless”. “AAP doesn’t believe in such tactics and the SAD, Congress and the BJP should introspect. They, in fact, don’t have enough candidates to field,” said Garg.