BJP delaying CBI probe to favour Cong in Punjab: HS Phoolka

Aam Aadmi Party leader and Supreme Court lawyer HS Phoolka on Saturday accused the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of deliberately delaying probe into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots involving Congress leader Jagdish Tytler.

Aam Aadmi Party leader and Supreme Court lawyer HS Phoolka on Saturday accused the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of deliberately delaying probe into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots involving Congress leader Jagdish Tytler.

AAP leader and senior advocate HS Phoolka (HT File Photo)

Alleging a “hidden pact”, Phoolka said the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre was trying to empower the Congress in Punjab and shielding it from any backlash to stop the AAP from winning the assembly elections.

“The BJP high command knows it very well that the Akali-BJP combination is losing badly in Punjab and the only option to thwart AAP’s (chances) is to protect the Congress,” he said.

Addressing a press conference here, Phoolka alleged Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh has emerged as the unanimous choice of the SAD-BJP combine and the Congress for the chief ministerial post in the state.

Phoolka said after cancellation of the CBI’s “clean chit” to Tytler in 2015, the court has repeatedly asked the central agency to submit a fresh investigation report to start day- to-day hearing. “On Friday, the CBI again sought time till February 16... the motive is clear... they just want to conclude the crucial Punjab polls,” he said.