Parents of late Parampreet Kaur, for the murder of whom ex-mayor Jaspal Pardhan has been booked, along with their son, burnt the effigy of Punjab education minister Sikander Singh Maluka on Friday.
The minister had defended Pardhan during his visit to Patiala on Thursday.

Parampreet's father Amarjeet Singh said that Maluka was trying to shield Pardhan and his public statement in favour of the former mayor had established his claim that the state government was trying to protect Pardhan and his family.

“Someone of the stature of a senior minister should understand the feelings of the parents of the victim. The minister is also pressuring the special investigation team to bail Pardhan out of the case,” said Amarjeet.

The parents reiterated their demand for a CBI probe, as they alleged that SIT was an instrument to shield the former mayor.