Political tensions in Punjab intensified on Monday after the police booked senior Akali leader Bikram Majithia and carried out raids at his residences in Amritsar and Chandigarh in connection with an alleged attack on the Majitha police station, in which he has been named as one of the accused.
The move angered SAD leaders, with Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal accusing the ruling AAP of indulging in political vendetta against her brother Majithia.
Party president Sukhbir Badal alleged the action was part of a “planned operation” and an outcome of frustration following the ruling party’s poor performance in the civic polls in Majitha.
Earlier in the day, a large police contingent led by SP Aditya Warrier reached Majithia’s residence in the posh Green Avenue locality of Amritsar. However, Majithia was not present there.
SP Warrier said an FIR had been registered in connection with Sunday’s incident at Majitha police station in Amritsar district. He said the police had constituted 12 special teams to trace and arrest those involved. The police have accused Majithia of being part of an unlawful assembly that allegedly attempted to free a detainee, identified as Jobanpreet, from police custody at the Majitha police station.
The incident took place on May 30 after Jobanpreet was arrested and brought to the police station for questioning. SSP Sohail Qasim Mir claimed that Jobanpreet had been arrested for assaulting a local resident, Paramjit Singh Pamma. He said around 11.30 am, an unlawful assembly, including Majithia and his supporters, gathered outside the police station before entering the premises. Pamma is said to be an AAP worker.
“The mob barged into the police station and attempted to free the detainee. They also tore official case files, damaged government property and assaulted police personnel,” the SSP alleged.
“After examining evidence available in the public domain and other material collected during the investigation, we registered an FIR against more than 50 persons, including Majithia. Those involved in the incident will be arrested and proceeded against according to law,” he said.
The SSP said an SIT headed by an SP of the Punjab Bureau of Investigation (PBI) had been constituted to probe the case. Two DSPs have also been included in the SIT.
The police teams continued to conduct raids and searches across various locations while examining CCTV footage and other evidence to identify and apprehend all those allegedly involved in the incident.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, meanwhile, also condemned the action against Majithia and his supporters. Dhami alleged that the case reflected the misuse of government agencies and legal processes to suppress the voice of the opposition in a democratic setup.
Meanwhile, in a major reshuffle, 11 police officials were transferred on Monday. Interestingly, Amritsar Rural SSP Sohail Qasim Mir was transferred as AIG Personnel-I, Punjab, Chandigarh, hours after Majithia was booked. The transfers have raised many eyebrows.
