Cong seeks judicial probe, says has no faith in police

Thursday, 15/05/2014

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140515/punjab.htm#7

Amritsar : Punjab Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa today demanded a time-bound judicial probe by a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court into the murderous assault on advocate Vaneet Mahajan and registration of a “false” case against advocate Sandeep Gorsi, both of whom are complainants against Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi in the dual vote case.

Addressing mediapersons after visiting Mahajan at a private hospital here, Bajwa rejected probe by the special investigation team (SIT) saying they had no faith in the state police.

“All investigations conducted by the police are meant to shield their political masters,” he alleged. He demanded that the SIT, if any was to be formed, should work under the supervision of the Chief Justice or a sitting judge of the High Court. He said he had written to the Chief Justice in this regard.

The PPCC chief said it was shocking that none of the accused in the Mahajan assault case had been arrested while Joshi’s statement was not recorded despite his name figuring in the FIR. He said they would continue their stir till action was taken against Joshi.

Bajwa also flayed Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal and BJP’s Amritsar candidate for not condemning the incident.

He also attacked Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia who completed his “tankhah” (religious punishment) here today. He said Majithia should have quit his post and appeared before the Akal Takht as a humble Sikh, but he went there with “pomp and show”.

Lawyers defer strike

Members of the Amritsar Bar Association, who had started a relay fast over the Mahajan assault case here on Wednesday, has deferred the protest following the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the matter.'Will move SC'

Bajwa said he would move the Supreme Court to expose "the growing clout of SAD leaders and the role" of Majithia in the drug trade. He said they would also knock at the doors of the High Court, seeking a probe into the companies in which Akali leaders had a major share.

Demands President’s rule

Stating that there was "complete lawlessness" in the state, Bajwa also demanded that President's rule be imposed in Punjab. "An ASI was killed for protecting the honour of his daughter in Amritsar some time back and now a lawyer was brutally attacked in broad daylight. Isn't this proof enough that there is jungle raj in the state?" he said.

On farm suicides

Bajwa lambasted Badal for the rising incidence of farmer suicides in the state. He said the situation was alarming as 10 debt-ridden farmers had committed suicides in 40 days in Punjab. It was shocking that the government had refused to give compensation in more than 2,000 such cases, he alleged.