SIT to probe attack on Joshi kin

Thursday, 12/02/2015

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/sit-to-probe-attack-on-joshi-kin/41010.html

Chandigarh/Tarn Taran : The SAD and the state BJP looked headed for a major confrontation over the issue of ‘murderous’ attack on the brother of BJP minister Anil Joshi in Tarn Taran yesterday. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the shoot-out’ incident.

The BJP has called a meeting of the core group tomorrow to decide if the coalition should continue or not. Joshi claimed that he and three Chief Parliamentary Secretaries would put in their papers if justice was denied. They have demanded immediate transfer of Tarn Tarn SSP and suspension of the policemen responsible for maintaining law and order in the area.

Tarn Taran BJP and SAD leaders announced that they would contest MC elections separately. Joshi named a sitting Akali Dal MLA Harmeet Singh Sandhu as conspirator of the attack and four ex-municipal councilors and a sitting candidate, all Akalis, for the attack. He said all the accused belonged to the team of Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia.

Joshi showed a video of the incident pointing out that his brother never provoked the attack or even retaliated.

Majithia defended Harmeet saying, “I don’t know the attackers. MLA Harmeet Singh Sandhu is a three-time legislator. He won’t indulge in such petty politics. It is immature and irresponsible on the part of a sitting minister to accuse another senior MLA without substantial proof.”

A government spokesperson said the Chief Minister discussed the issue with the BJP state president Kamal Sharma.

Earlier, Joshi, showing apparent lack of trust in the Akali Dal-led government, chose to go public seeking justice and safety for his family. He argued that if a minister’s family can be attacked like this on the premises of a Sub-Divisional Magistrate office no one was safe in the state.

He said the onus of safety of his family was on the deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who, being a home minister was responsible for law and order in the state.   

The police have booked about 20 Akali workers under various sections of the IPC, besides Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act. Among those booked are ex-councillors Baljit Singh Gill, Sarbjit Singh and Yadvinder Singh Yadu.

Akali workers have also lodged a counter complaint against BJP activists along with their medico-legal report.

BJP crucial meet today
BJP core group will meet in Chandigarh on Thursday to take a decision whether the coalition should continue or not.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP president Amit Shah have reportedly taken a serious view of the attack.