No headway in poll violence case against former Dy CM

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, November 19

It’s been two months since SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was booked for alleged poll violence in the Lambi Assembly constituency, but the Muktsar police have taken no further action.

On September 19, Sukhbir Badal, along with many unidentified persons, was booked for allegedly damaging an Innova vehicle and thrashing some people near a polling station at Mandi Killianwali in the Lambi Assembly segment. An Independent candidate from Killianwali Zila Parishad zone, Jatinderpal Singh, native of Chak Middu Singhwala village, who is brother of the Congress candidate from the same zone, had lodged a complaint to the police in this regard.

The case was registered under Sections 323, 341, 506, 148, 149 and 427 of the IPC at the Lambi police station. CCTV footage of this incident had also gone viral, in which Sukhbir was allegedly seen standing as a spectator of the entire violence.

Talking to The Tribune on Monday, Manjit Singh Dhesi, SSP, Muktsar, said, “The investigation is underway and action will be definitely taken. The offences are bailable, but the accused has not got any kind of bail as yet.”

Asked whether any political pressure was creating hindrance in taking further action, Dhesi said, “We have electronic evidence of the incident and there is zero interference of anyone in the case.”

Lambi is the home constituency of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Further, on November 8, a day after Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s rally at Killianwali in the Lambi Assembly constituency, the Lambi police had also booked SAD leader Tejinder Singh Middukhera for allegedly creating obstruction in the duty of an assistant-sub inspector, snatching his cell phone and entering the polling booth along with many others by violating the law on September 19. Even in this case, no further action is taken by the police.

About this case, the SSP said, “The offences are non-bailable and investigation is underway.” After these cases, the SAD leadership, including Sukhbir, had warned the SSP of facing inquiry and action on the party returning to the power in the state.

Was booked On Sept 19

• On September 19, Sukhbir Badal, along with many unidentified persons, was booked for allegedly damaging an Innova vehicle and thrashing some people near a polling station at Mandi Killianwali in Lambi Assembly segment. 
• A case was registered under Sections 323, 341, 506, 148, 149 and 427 of the IPC at the Lambi police station. 
• CCTV footage of this incident had also gone viral, in which Sukhbir was allegedly seen standing as a spectator of the entire violence.