SAD-BJP trying to mar probe: Jakhar

Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 18

Breaking his silence on the issue of sacrilege, PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar on Wednesday said the probe was “intentionally” being embroiled in technicalities by the SAD-BJP. “CM Capt Amarinder Singh and the Congress’ intentions to punish the perpetrators of the crime cannot be doubted,” he claimed.

Referring to the sacrilege incidents and subsequent police firing at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan, Jakhar said, “It is the SAD with its alliance party at the Centre, which is conspiring to negate the efforts being made by the Punjab Government to go to the depth of the highly emotive issue.”

Talking to The Tribune, the PPCC chief said the possibility of certain Akali sympathisers in the government exerting pressure to derail the probe could not be ruled out. “It is in the interest of society and the Congress that fair and transparent probes into the sacrilege and firing incidents are completed at the earliest and placed in the court of law for adjudication. The SIT has sought permission from Haryana to question Dera Sacha Sauda chief in the case.

“There’s no closure on emotive issues. Like the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, people identified the perpetrators even as it took years for legal proceedings. Similarly, in sacrilege case, the perpetrators are identified but people want to knowthe reason for police firing.”

Jakhar said investigators often had difference of opinion, but they should come forth and place it on record before submitting the challan.

“The CM has deputed senior police officers with proven track record in the SIT. The government cannot interfere in the investigations. There may have been delays, but it is interest of the police department that a credible and transparent probe is carried out in a professional manner so that withstands the scrutiny of law,” he added.