Despite a storm in the political circles over Pataiala mayor Jaspal Singh Pradhan being allegedly involved in the murder of his 'daughter-in-law', deputy chief minister and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday feigned ignorance of the issue.
He is ostensibly in the dark, despite holding the home portfolio and the state police working directly under his command.
Sukhbir was here on Monday to inaugurate the lawyers' complex. The function was attended by some senior judges of the Punjab and Haryana high court, Punjab's information and public relations minister Bikram Singh Majithia, Punjab assembly deputy speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal and Rajya Sabha MP Avinash Rai Khanna.
After the function, Sukhbir tried to leave in haste without meeting the mediapersons. However, HT managed to speak to him; initially Sukhbir tried to parry all questions on the issue, but later said, “I was in Delhi and have reached here today. I could not even read the newspapers so I am not aware of the entire case. I cannot react on the issue immediately,” he said.
When questioned regarding the Congress charges that SAD was protecting Jaspal Pradhan, the SAD president said that he had directed the senior superintendent of Patiala to act as per the law.
Majthia too was not keen to talk to the media. After the function, mediapersons grilled Punjab assembly speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal over the Pradhan issue. He too said that law would take its own course. Khanna also evaded all queries regarding the Pradhan case, though he said, “A criminal is a criminal.”
When questioned regarding the Congress charges that SAD was protecting Jaspal Pradhan, the SAD president said that he had directed the senior superintendent of Patiala to act as per the law.
Majthia too was not keen to talk to the media. After the function, mediapersons grilled Punjab assembly speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal over the Pradhan issue. He too said that law would take its own course. Khanna also evaded all queries regarding the Pradhan case, though he said, “A criminal is a criminal.”