SAD submits Balkar Singh’s ‘objectionable’ video to Governor, seeks his dismissal

SAD submits Balkar Singh’s ‘objectionable’ video to Governor, seeks his dismissal
Chandigarh: A Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) delegation today submitted an ‘objectionable’ video of Local Government Minister Balkar Singh to Governor Banwarilal Purohit and urged him to mark an inquiry into the matter by a central agency, besides calling for the immediate dismissal of the minister from the state Cabinet.

The delegation, comprising Bikram Singh Majithia and Daljit Singh Cheema, alleged CM Bhagwant Mann was supporting the minister
They alleged that the victim had been intimidated due to which she had not come forward to register a case against the minister
“An independent probe, coupled with the dismissal of the minister, will pave the way for the truth to come out,” they said
It also urged the Governor not to allow Balkar Singh and other AAP ministers accused of indulging in criminal activities from unfurling the Tricolour on Republic Day.

The delegation, comprising senior leaders Bikram Singh Majithia and Daljit Singh Cheema, also alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was supporting the minister.

They alleged that the victim had been intimidated due to which she had not come forward to register a case against the minister. “An independent probe, coupled with the dismissal of the minister, will alone pave the way for the truth to come out,” they said.

The SAD leaders also informed the Governor about the manner in which a police clearance certificate was sourced recently to prevent the deportation of former AAP legislator Amarjit Sandoa from Canada. They said Sandoa, who had gone to attend the wedding of AAP leader Himmat Singh Shergill, was stopped for questioning by the Canadian authorities due to a sodomy complaint against him. They said Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Sandhwan had helped in sourcing the police clearance certificate and facilitate Sandoa’s entry into Canada, which had sent a wrong message of Punjab and its value system across the globe.

Urging the Governor to take action in the case, the leaders said the police clearance certificate issued to Sandoa should be withdrawn and he should be proceeded against as per law.

Majithia and Cheema also urged the Governor not to allow ministers Lal Chand Kataruchak and Aman Arora to unfurl the Tricolour on Republic Day. They alleged that Kataruchak was accused of sodomy and even though the state police had suppressed the case at the behest of the Chief Minister, anyone accused of such a heinous crime should be kept away from state functions where chief guests were looked upon as role models.

They said Aman Arora had been awarded a two-year conviction and in line with the Supreme Court guidelines should have been unseated immediately. He should also not be allowed to unfurl the Tricolour on January 26, they said.

Later, talking to mediapersons about Balkar Singh outside the Raj Bhawan, Majithia said he had informed the Chief Minister three months ago that he had an objectionable video of the minister and wanted to hand it over to him.

“I contacted the Chief Minister’s residence during a press conference and was told that I would be connected to him, but that did not happen”. Following this, instead of taking action against Balkar Singh, “a vendetta exercise was initiated against me and when this did not succeed, I was told that the accused would seek an apology for his acts”, he said.