Punjab: Pratap Bajwa did not appear on police summons, sought time to appear today
Punjab: Punjab opposition leader Partap Bajwa, who was summoned by the police for his “controversial statement”, did not appear before the Mohali SP (City) on Monday afternoon due to “prior commitments”. Bajwa said he is ready to appear before the police on Tuesday. The Congress leader was summoned after he recently made a statement about “50 bombs” being smuggled into Punjab. A case was registered against Bajwa on April 13 at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Phase VII, under sections 353 (2), 197 (1) (d) of the Indian Justice Code for spreading misinformation compromising national security and integrity. In a letter to the Mohali SP (city), Bajwa said, “I was not at home when the summons were served on my house late at night. I have some meetings scheduled on April 14, which I cannot change at the last minute. Therefore, it is not possible for me to appear on April 14.
Please permit me to appear before you on April 15 after 2 pm.” After coming out of the Phase VII police station, Bajwa’s lawyer Pradeep Virk told media persons that his request has been accepted. He said that he has been provided a copy of the FIR following the direction of the Mohali court. After a two-member counter-intelligence team arrived at his Chandigarh residence on Sunday, Bajwa said, “My sources have cautioned me that many bombs have come to Punjab. Eighteen bombs have exploded and 30-32 bombs are (still) to be used. My sources told me that I am in an important position, so I should be cautious. I have fully cooperated with counter-intelligence and will continue to do so. Our job is to save people and help the Punjab government. I have told them that I am not going to reveal my sources…”
Meanwhile, Congress leaders have raised their voice against the case against Bajwa. They are likely to deliberate on the issue at Chandigarh Congress Bhawan at 11 am on Tuesday. Senior Congress leader and former health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu also came out strongly in support of Bajwa. He said, “The FIR lodged against Bajwa for raising legitimate concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab is not only reprehensible but also smacks of political vendetta. It is clear that the Mann government is now misusing power to target the opposition.” Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday criticised the Mann government. “The Punjab CM, a bundle of insecurity and incompetence, and the corrupt AAP leadership have panicked and are resorting to intimidation, defamation and bullying. This will not work. Governance in Punjab has completely collapsed. The Congress will not sit quiet and will continue to raise people’s concerns forcefully,” Ramesh said.
