SAD asks CEC to order probe into misappropriation of Rs 6.6 crore seized by Khanna Police.

Chandigarh, April 1 – The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today asked the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to order an independent probe into the misappropriation of Rs 6.6 crore from a Christian priest, saying this seemed to have happened with the connivance of the Congress party and its leaders and could be used to influence voters.

The SAD has also demanded withdrawal of the instructions of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab whereby the latter has directed the police to take action against prominent Akali leaders and workers who blocked roads during a dharna protest in 2017.

SAD leaders including Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, Mr Sikander Singh Maluka and Mr Charanjit Singh Brar along with it’s legal cell member Mr Arshdeep Cler, today submitted two separate memorandums in this regard to the CEO, Punjab Karuna Raju to be forwarded to the CEC for action. Dr Cheema and Mr Maluka also briefed the CEO about both issues and registered the SAD’s strong protest against any attempt to politicise the post of the CEO, Punjab. 

Giving details, Dr Cheema said as far as a recent multi – crore recovery by Khanna police was concerned, the same had been exposed by Father Anthony Madasserry who had made it clear that Rs 16.32 crore had been seized by the Khanna police but the authorities had only shown a recovery of Rs 9.66 crore. “We have reason to believe that the remaining Rs 6.6 crore has been misappropriated at the instance of the Congress party and would be used to influence voters. The Election Commission needs to take strong notice of this and order an independent probe to ensure this money is not misused against their political rivals by the Congress party in the forthcoming parliamentary poll”, Dr Cheema added.

Meanwhile the SAD delegation also pointed out  to the CEO that he had unfairly issued directions to the police department to take action against prominent Akali leaders who blocked roads during a dharna protest in 2017. It said this protest occurred after a dastardly attack on Akali leaders and workers at Makhu following rejection of their nomination papers in the Local Bodies elections. It said false cases were registered against the senior Akali leadership and workers. 

Dr Cheema said it was pertinent to mention that during the model code of conduct the Election Commission was bound to act as a custodian of the rights of all political parties and any directions issued by the CEO, Punjab in a one and a half year old matter while acting on a politically motivated R.T.I would directly affect the ongoing campaigning process in the State.

Mr Sikander Maluka demanded withdrawal of the instructions and said such instructions could be misused by the Congress government to harass opponents and to arrest them to take advantage at the time of polling. The delegation members said instead the Commission should restrain the police from acting on such old and frivolous cases.