Son of a local SAD leader and two others have been arrested along with 4-kg opium and two country-made illegal .32 revolvers here.
Balkar Singh, son of SAD leader Pargat Singh, a resident of Lal Singh Basti, was arrested along with Gurlal Singh of Surkhpeer road and Prem Kumar of Dhillon colony in the city on Saturday night.
SAD and BJP flags were reportedly found hoisted at the house of Pargat Singh during the night when Balkar was arrested by the police, but were later removed by the family. However, a BJP flag was still seen at the rooftop of the house which the family, perhaps, forgot to remove.
SAD LINK: CONG
President, district Congress committee (urban) Mohan Lal Jhumba alleged that the three accused are connected to the ruling party and the family of Balkar Singh is actively involved in SAD affairs.
He said that as the house of Balkar Singh is located in his locality, he had apprised the local police several times about the drugs racket being run by them but, due to political patronage, no action was taken for a long time. He alleged that many local SAD leaders had visited the Kotwali police station during the night to ensure the release of the accused.
‘ORDINARY SAD SUPPORTER’
However, president of the SAD Canal circle, under which Lal Singh Basti falls, Chamkaur Singh Mann, said that the father of the arrested person was not any office-bearer in the party. “Pargat Singh is an ordinary party supporter and was seen in sangat darshan programmes only recently. He worked for the party during elections, but his son is not linked to the party in any way,” he said.
‘ORDINARY SAD SUPPORTER’
However, president of the SAD Canal circle, under which Lal Singh Basti falls, Chamkaur Singh Mann, said that the father of the arrested person was not any office-bearer in the party. “Pargat Singh is an ordinary party supporter and was seen in sangat darshan programmes only recently. He worked for the party during elections, but his son is not linked to the party in any way,” he said.
Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the accused said they had purchased the banned substance from Rajasthan while illegal weapons were bought from UP and Rajasthan.
ANOTHER ARREST
The district police have arrested another person and seized a .32 bore illegal pistol and six live cartridges from his possession. The accused has been identified as Manpreet Singh, a resident of Talwandi Sabo.