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Sukhbir may not keep date with vigilance today
Poonam Bath
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 5
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau’s attempt to summon Rajya Sabha MP, Sukhbir Badal for questioning here in the disproportionate assets case may not work out as he is unlikely to keep his date with the bureau tomorrow, according to sources.

Sources in the bureau maintain that strict action may be taken against Mr Sukhbir for not appearing before it and it may even move the court against him for non-compliance of orders. He had earlier not appeared on October 3.

Mr Sukhbir Badal had in a letter to the bureau, stated that being a sitting Rajya Sabha member, he resided in Delhi. Hence, he should be questioned there. Turning down his request on the ground that he was an accused and not entitled to “dictate” terms as regards the place of questioning, the Vigilance has through a fresh notice reaffirmed that he would be required to present himself in the office of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) tomorrow.

While officials claim that the notice has been despatched both through a special messenger and the courier, sources close to Mr Sukhbir said summons for appearance could not be served by the officer concerned as he was out of station.

Mr Bubby Badal, a close associate of Mr Sukhbir Badal, said the latter had already responded to the bureau’s summons saying that he would make himself available for questioning at Delhi and that he was not aware of any fresh developments on the issue.

He specified that Mr Sukhbir had not received any notice stating that his plea for questioning at Delhi had been turned down.

“However, we are on a legally sound footing on the ground that Mr Sukhbir can be questioned at his residence in Delhi and he has already sought time and date for the same. If need be, we will also move the court alleging harassment at the hands of the bureau officials,” he said.

Mr Sukhbir had earlier pleaded that he would make himself available at his father’s official residence on October 8, but the same had also been rejected.

Sources in the vigilance maintain that Mr Sukhbir Badal was not cooperating in the investigations of the corruption case registered against Mr Parkash Singh Badal and his family. His replies to our notices only indicate that he is apprehensive of being arrested.