The Punjab BJP on Saturday held a demonstration in Amritsar against the AAP government over the suicide of a warehousing corporation official. The party sought justice for the deceased official’s family.
Senior BJP leaders from across the state attended the dharna at Hall Gate in Amritsar. Those present included Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, national general secretary Tarun Chugh, Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma.
Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, district manager of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar, reportedly died by suicide after consuming poison on March 21. A video surfaced later in which he reportedly accused Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar of harassment. Bhullar resigned from the Cabinet the same day on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann following the controversy.
Bhullar, the AAP MLA from Patti, was apprehended two days after Randhawa’s death.
The Amritsar police registered a case against Bhullar, his father Sukhdev Singh Bhullar and personal assistant Dilbag Singh under Sections 108 (abetment of suicide), 351(3) (criminal intimidation) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
During Saturday’s protest, BJP leaders raised slogans against the AAP government and Chief Minister Mann. They demanded a CBI investigation into the death.
“It is not a political fight but it is a fight for justice for Randhawa’s family,” Jakhar said while addressing the gathering. He added that the BJP stands firmly with the bereaved family.
Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma said the party organised the protest to ensure justice for the Randhawa family. He said the family has expressed a lack of trust in the Punjab government and the state police investigation, which is why it has been demanding a CBI inquiry into the case.
Targeting the Mann government, Sharma alleged that the state police had failed over the past four years to build public confidence in the justice system. “Why are you trying to save Bhullar?” he asked, addressing the Chief Minister. He warned that the BJP would continue its protest until a CBI investigation is ordered and justice is delivered to the family.
BJP leaders also alleged that Bhullar was receiving “VIP facilities” in jail. They criticised the AAP government for not apprehending his father and assistant so far.
Earlier, BJP leader Tarun Chugh also attacked the AAP government over the law and order situation, calling the administration “ineffective”.
Also read: Raghav Chadha ‘compromised’, alleges Punjab CM Mann
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