The Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) has accused the top cop and an Akali minister of shielding Sarwan Singh, prime accused in the murder of a Congress candidate.
Sukhraj Singh was killed during campaign for the Nadhor block samiti seat in Patti area. PYC president Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary on Thursday blamed state food and civil supplies minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon and director general of police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini for protecting the culprit.
On May 8, Sukhraj Singh, who was also block Youth Congress president from Patti, was attacked with sharp-edged weapons and fired upon at Gurudwara Veer Singh and the injuries led to his death. Akali supporters Sarwan Singh, Harcharan Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Hardeep Singh, and Ranbir Singh were accused of the crime.
"Prime accused Sarwan Singh has close association with Kairon, son-in-law of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal," PYC president Chaudhary said during a press conference here. "Punjab Police made no effort to arrest the accused," said Daljit Singh, father of the victim.
"Deputy inspector general (border range) of police Paramraj Singh Umranangal absolved Sarwan Singh, saying he had not even been at the crime scene," said Daljit Singh. "DGP Sumedh Singh Saini failed to discharge his duty impartially," said Chuadhary.
The PYC released a picture of Sarwan Singh claimed to have been taken about a week before the crime, showing him alongside Kairon at a private function. "The police have not recorded the statements of Sukhraj's father and key eyewitnesses Jasbir Singh. A day before the murder, Sukhraj was made to deposit his weapon, while accused Harcharan Singh and Sukhwinder Singh were not," said Chaudhary.
{{/usCountry}}The PYC released a picture of Sarwan Singh claimed to have been taken about a week before the crime, showing him alongside Kairon at a private function. "The police have not recorded the statements of Sukhraj's father and key eyewitnesses Jasbir Singh. A day before the murder, Sukhraj was made to deposit his weapon, while accused Harcharan Singh and Sukhwinder Singh were not," said Chaudhary.
{{/usCountry}}Sukhraj's family has requested the Punjab and Haryana high court to move the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A notice of motion is issued to the state government for July 12. To pressurise the government, the PYC will gherao the chief minister in Chandigarh on June 5.
Allegations refuted
Kairon rubbished the allegations as baseless. "I am surprised to know I am being dragged into this. It appears that political rivalry led to the unfortunate incident. I had even visited the family to convey my condolences. As far as the accused's not being arrested is concerned, it is the job of the police, who have arrested two accused already," said Kairon.
IG (border zone) Ishwar Chander said the investigation would ignore no aspect.