Even as Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday lauded the state police for busting the Jagdish Bhola drug racket, Congress Working Committee member and former CM Capt Amarinder Singh said the case should be handed over to a sitting high court judge to ensure a fair inquiry.
Praising the Patiala police for recent seizures of narcotics, Badal said, "The diligent police officers who unearthed this racket would be suitably rewarded in terms of promotions, besides appreciation letters."
Soon after Badal's statement, Amarinder said drug lord Bhola's arrest was just the tip of the iceberg, while seeking a fair and impartial investigation by a sitting HC judge.
He said the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) could not escape its responsibility as some of its prominent leaders had been found to be Bhola's close associates.
Doubtful about the Punjab Police being allowed to conduct an impartial investigation, Amarinder said since the state police worked directly under the Akali government, it was difficult to expect a fair probe.
"Even if the police want to do a fair investigation, which they are quite capable of doing, they will not be allowed to do so, hence it becomes important that the case be probed by an independent agency, ideally a sitting judge of the high court," he observed.
He said the matter must be looked beyond partisan lines and whosoever found involved, irrespective of his or her party affiliation, should be brought to book. "Our concern is Punjab, before politics and the party," he remarked.
{{/usCountry}}He said the matter must be looked beyond partisan lines and whosoever found involved, irrespective of his or her party affiliation, should be brought to book. "Our concern is Punjab, before politics and the party," he remarked.
{{/usCountry}}Patiala: Even as Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday lauded the state police for busting the Jagdish Bhola drug racket, Congress Working Committee member and former CM Capt Amarinder Singh said the case should be handed over to a sitting high court judge to ensure a fair inquiry.
Praising the Patiala police for recent seizures of narcotics, Badal said, "The diligent police officers who unearthed this racket would be suitably rewarded in terms of promotions, besides appreciation letters."