Rejected inquiry earlier, Akali duo to appear before SIT

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 12

The decision of Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal and president Sukhbir Badal to appear before the SIT appears to be a U-turn in the party strategy in dealing with the Congress government-instituted probe into sacrilege and police firing incidents of 2015.

Sources in the party said the decision to appear before the SIT was taken by Badal. The leadership had earlier rejected the Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) Commission set up by Capt Amarinder Singh. The party had also refused to participate in a debate initiated after the Commission report was tabled in the House. As a result, many senior party leaders, had questioned the decision. This eventually triggered a revolt in the Akali Dal.

Sources said after the issuance of the summons, the Senior Badal had told his confidants that the party should “not give an impression that it has something to hide. The party has already faced public ire for its failure to unearth the conspiracy behind the incidents”.

The Badals have been summoned by the SIT under Section 160 CrPC, which empowers the police to seek attendance of witnesses. They were earlier called by the Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) Commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. The Badals were then not legally bound to appear before the Commission.

Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, senior Akali leader, denied any U-turn by the party. He accused the Congress of playing politics over the issue. “The SIT issued summons to various people, but never a press note. The Congress is setting a wrong precedent. The Badals have not been indicted by any probe.