Jakhar cancels his participation in protest against Pearls Group
Thursday, 09/06/2016
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LUDHIANA: Eyebrows were raised when former Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and spokesperson Sunil Jakhar cancelled his participation in a scheduled protest against the Pearls Group at the last minute on Wednesday.
Members of Insaf Di Aawaz protesting against Pearls Group on the bus stand road in Ludhiana on Wednesday.
The protest was organised by an organisation Insaaf Di Awaaz that is formed by a group of people who were duped by the Pearls Group.
People from across the state had invested their money in the group through chit fund but were duped. Those people were demanding refund of money from the Pearls Group.
While suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Dharamvir Gandhi and senior AAP leader HS Phoolka participated in the protest held at Chatar Singh Park, Jakhar cancelled his participation in the protest on Wednesday morning. Gandhi and Phoolka alleged that Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have shielded Nirmal Singh Bhangoo who heads Pearls Group.
Pearls Group was the sponsor of Kabaddi World from 2011 to 2013 after which the funding came under Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) scanner.
Bhangoo is also considered to be close to former chief minister of the state and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Captain Amarinder Singh.
Jakhar said that he cancelled his participation in the protest due to some other commitment.
When asked that whether he cancelled the participation due to Bhangoo’s closeness to Congress, he replied that he had spoken against Pearls Group on their own land at Bathinda rally of Congress.
Jakhar said that Bhangoo must be put behind bars as he has duped so many people.
Meanwhile, Dharamvir Gandhi stated that Bhangoo was not arrested due to his close connection with Congress as well as SAD. “A Congress leader cannot protest against a company that funds them during elections,” said Gandhi.
On the other hand, Phoolka said that he was ready to provide free legal aid to those people who have been duped by the company.
