Bajwa skips police summons, seeks time to appear today

Punjab’s Leader of the Opposition Partap Bajwa, who was summoned by the police over his “controversial statement", did not appear before the Mohali SP (City) on Monday noon due to “prior commitments". Bajwa said he was ready to appear before the police on Tuesday.

The Congress leader had been summoned after he recently made a statement regarding “50 bombs" having been smuggled into Punjab. A case was registered against Bajwa on April 13 under Sections 353(2), 197(1) (d) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Cyber Crime police station, Phase VII, for allegedly spreading misinformation that could compromise national security and unity.

In a letter to the Mohali SP (City), Bajwa said, “I was not home when the summons were sent to my residence late at night. I already have some meetings scheduled for April 14 which I cannot alter at the last moment. Hence, it is not possible for me to appear on April 14. Kindly permit me to appear before you on April 15 after 2 pm."

After coming out of the Phase VII police station, Bajwa’s advocate Pradeep Virk told mediapersons that his request had been acknowledged. He said a copy of the FIR was provided to them after the directions of a Mohali court.

After a two-member Counter-Intelligence team visited his Chandigarh residence on Sunday, Bajwa said, “My sources have warned me that several 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 stay aware. I have fully cooperated and will fully cooperate with the Counter-Intelligence. Our work 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 spoken out against the case against Bajwa. They are likely to deliberate on the issue at the Chandigarh Congress Bhawan at 11 am on Tuesday.

Senior Congress leader and former Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu also came out strongly in favour of Bajwa. “The act of slapping an FIR on Bajwa for raising legitimate concerns about the deteriorating law and order in Punjab is not only condemnable but also reeks of political vendetta. It is clear that the Mann government is now misusing power to target the Opposition," he said.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday lambasted the Mann government. Ramesh said, “the Punjab CM, a bundle of insecurity and incompetence, and the corrupt AAP leadership is rattled and is resorting to intimidation, smear and threats. It will not work. Governance in Punjab has completely collapsed. The Congress will not be silenced and will continue to raise the concerns of the people forcefully."

‘Spreading false, misleading information’

The FIR against Bajwa has been filed on the complaint of Taranpreet Kaur, a social media cell operator of the police. Taranpreet said she came across an “objectionable post" on Facebook. “The post contains a statement/interview by Bajwa, wherein he claims that 50 grenades have reached the state, out of which 18 have been used… the interview appears to have been given intentionally to create disharmony by spreading false and misleading information that jeopardises public peace, unity and integrity,” she said in the complaint.

Top News