Punjab LoP Partap Singh Bajwa seeks judicial panel to probe rise in gangster activity

The Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Sunday sought the constitution of a judicial commission to investigate the alleged rise in gangster activity after AAP came to power in Punjab in 2022.

Interacting with mediapersons here, he said the commission should be headed by a High Court judge to investigate as to how gangsters were operating from jails.

Bajwa, a senior Congress leader, made the demand after paying tributes to slain Abohar businessman Sanjay Verma at a prayer meeting.

Meanwhile, Bajwa wrote to Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, seeking debates on the state’s law and order and the land pooling policy during the remaining two days of the special House session.

In his letter, Bajwa reminded the Speaker that the extension of the session by two days followed a verbal assurance to the Congress that one day each would be allocated to deliberate on deteriorating law and order and the land pooling policy.

Bajwa said while the demand to extend the session was approved, uncertainty prevailed over the other demand.

He also said the anti-sacrilege law, which was “originally the focal point” for convening the special session, remained at the drafting stage. “This is a matter of immense constitutional and emotional significance for the people of Punjab. The AAP government must offer clarity on it,” Bajwa said.