Inquiry marked into illegal distillery in Patiala

Tribune News Service

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Patiala, May 15

The Patiala police have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to inquire into the illegal distillery-cum-bottling plant at Ghanaur, Patiala.

Patiala SSP Mandeep Singh Sidhu said, “We have formed a team comprising SP (City) Varun Sharma, SP (Investigation) Harmeet Singh Hundal and DSP Ghanaur Manpreet Singh to probe the matter.”

He said he had received representations submitted by both AAP and SAD leaders.

Leader of the Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The ruling party is running the liquor and drug mafia in Punjab.”

He showed photographs of accused Khanpur Khurd sarpanch Amrik Singh with Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar and other party leaders, saying, “These pictures prove that illegal liquor traders have political connections.”

The Aam Aadmi Party has demanded that a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court should probe the matter.

SAD leader Surjit Singh Rakhra also raised questions over the law and order after meeting the SSP and said, “The state government is directly involved in the illegal trade.”

Jakhar said, “As far as I can recall, the photograph was taken at the Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh, where many party workers had come and clicked pictures. It doesn’t matter if he is in the party. The law is same for all.”