A five-member delegation of political party leaders of Punjab, coordinated by AAP MLA and human rights activist Harvinder Singh Phoolka, met the Chief Election Commissioner –Sunil Arora and apprised him that the removal of IG Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh from SIT, had obstructed the ongoing investigation into the Behbal Kalan firing and sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib cases and sought his immediate reinstatement.

A delegation comprising Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Sunil Jakhar, Punjab Cabinet Minister Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, MLA Harvinder Singh Phoolka and AAP rebel MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia submitted a joint memorandum to the CEC, stating that, “Akali Dal has been trying its best to delay the investigation but they have not succeeded in their motives so far.  Very valuable evidence was destroyed and tempered with during the Akali government. With great difficulty, the SIT is collecting the lost evidence. Now by filing a false complaint and misleading the Commission they have obtained this order of transfer which will not only delay the investigation, but will also adversely affect the line of investigation.”

The delegates impressed upon the Chief Commissioner that the manner in which the Badal Dal is gloating about their victory in ensuring that Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh has been removed, they have succeeded in giving the impression to the common man in Punjab that the Election Commission is working in cohorts with the Badal Dal.  This is a serious development which questions the integrity and neutrality of the ECI and the ECI will do well to take immediate steps to undo this.

Significantly, all leaders mentioned that the removal of police officer can threaten peace in Punjab as people are still very upset about the sacrilege issue which had resulted into the indiscriminate police firing killing two people in October 2015.

The reinstatement of IG Kunwar Partap Singh is necessary to maintain peace in Punjab and conduct of elections in a free and fair manner.”

Urging the Chief Election Commissioner to review its decision, the delegation further stated that they wanted to present true and correct facts before the Commission and “requests for review and withdrawal of the order of transfer. This is necessary to maintain peace in Punjab and conduct of elections in a free and fair manner.”

It may be noted that since the removal of IG Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh from the SIT, members of the victim families –Sukhraj Singh son of martyr Krishan Bhagwan Singh, Sadhu Singh –father of martyr Gurjeet Singh, Dal Khalsa leaders Harpal Singh Cheema and Kanwarpal Singh, representatives of the Taksali Akali Dal, the Aam Aadmi Party and human rights activist Jagmohan Singh have also met the Chief Electoral Officer in Chandigarh and through him impressed upon the Election Commission not to obstruct justice especially in such a sensitive case which involves killing of two people and the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib.

Activists of the Bargari Morcha had also led a protest demonstration against the Election Commission two days ago.

Briefing the media, Harvinder Singh Phoolka said that the CEC has promised to look into the matter afresh and acknowledged that it had also received the representation from the Chief Minister of Punjab –Capt. Amarinder Singh.

When chastised by the Supreme Court of India, the Election Commission acted with Godspeed and yesterday debarred hate mongering by leaders of many political parties. The people of Punjab await its decision in this extremely sensitive case.