Amarinder in league with radical leaders, says SAD

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 27

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday alleged that there was a conspiracy to defame the erstwhile SAD-BJP government and divide the Sikh community. Releasing call details with tower locations, he said Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, his ministers and Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) were consorting with radical Jathedars to vet the sacrilege probe Commission report, including a meeting held at the CM’s residence on Sunday night.

Capt Amarinder denied these allegations on the floor of the House. When Sukhbir accused the CM and ministers Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Randhawa of having met radical leader Baljit Singh Daduwal late on Sunday night, the CM said he could not even recognise Daduwal. “I have met him only once, and that too when I went to Bargari after the sacrilege incidents had taken place,” he said.

Later, addressing a press conference, the SAD president said, “The unholy nexus between the Congress, AAP and ISI-sponsored radical outfits to help the Congress is out in the open. We have conclusive evidence that the CM is not only encouraging radical elements but also consorting with them. This new evidence proves that the Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) Commission report was vetted at the farmhouse of radical leader Chanan Singh Sidhu at Mullanpur Garibdass near here.”

He further said: “Sukhpal Khaira, Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) and Commission Registrar JS Mehmi visited the farmhouse on June 15 and were together for four hours from 6 am to 10 am,” while producing call records of these persons, showing the same tower location in Mullanpur.

Sukhbir alleged that Khaira and Justice Ranjit Singh again visited the farmhouse on June 17 from early morning to evening and were joined by Bajwa. He said Bajwa had also visited the dharna site at Bargari and subsequently gone to London, days before the ISI-backed SFJ held a declaration for Sikh Referendum.

“A third meeting was held at Sidhu’s farmhouse on July 18, which was attended by ‘sarkari’ Jathedar Dhian Singh Mand, radical leader Gurdeep Singh Bathinda, Justice Ranjit Singh and minister Sukhjinder Randhawa,” alleged Sukhbir.

He said Daduwal claimed that he was in Bathinda on Sunday night, but the SAD had proof of his entry into Chandigarh through the Banur toll plaza. Sukhbir claimed that after the meeting, Daduwal was bundled into a car and whisked off to Randhawa’s residence.