Shahkot: Ex-minister Lalli arrested for carrying revolver inside polling booth

He was detained by a flying squad in the afternoon for taking his licensed revolver inside the polling booth in Malsian

Former Punjab home minister Brij Bhupinder Lalli, who recently switched from the Congress to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), was arrested for taking his licensed revolver inside a polling booth at Sahla Nagar Patti in Malsian during voting for the Shahkot assembly bypoll on Monday. He later got bail.

Brij Bhupinder Lalli with SAD leaders. (HT Photo)

The presiding officers in their complaint said Lalli entered the polling station forcibly and also misbehaved with staff. He was booked under sections 132 (misconduct at the polling station) and 134B (prohibition of going armed to or near a polling station) of the Representation of People Act and under section 188 (violation of prohibitory orders) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Lalli, who joined the SAD on May 18 showing resentment over the Congress ticket to Hardev Singh Ladi Sherowalia, also had a scuffle with Congress workers outside the polling station; and was later kept at the local police post for five hours. Lalli’s counsel Karampal Singh, who reached the police post, said the police detained Lalli “in spite of the fact that all the charges are bailable”.

Naib Singh, SAD’s candidate, who also reached the spot, said police are under pressure of the state government. Dilbag Singh, deputy superintendent of police (DSP), said, “As all the sections are bailable, Lalli was released on bail.”