M A I N   N E W S

Spying at Sukhbir’s house rocks RS
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 17
Alleged surveillance by personnel of the Punjab Police at residences of two members of the Upper House, including Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, rocked the Rajya Sabha today with several BJP and Akali Dal members demanding the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, BJP member S.S. Ahluwalia said Mr Badal and senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan were being “spied” by the CID of the Punjab Police here against the privileges of the House.

He said the arrest of intelligence officials in Delhi with cameras and wireless sets was a serious issue. It was an extension of the “vengeful act” of the Amarinder Singh government against Mr Parkash Singh Badal and his family members, Mr Ahluwalia said.

He recalled a similar instance of surveillance targeting former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi when Mr Chandrashekhar was the Prime Minister.

Mr Ahluwalia said the policemen had confessed about indulging in surveillance “at the instance of the Chief Minister.”

“What kind of surveillance is this. It is nothing but serious infringement on the rights of the MPs to curtail freedom of expression,” he said.

BJP President M. Venkaiah Naidu wanted the issue to be sent straight to the Privilege Committee of the Rajya Sabha.

Mr Sukhbir Badal said the Punjab Government was “harassing” him and his family members. “The CID men follow me and my wife and my mobile phones are under surveillance,” he said.

Deploring such actions, NC member Farooq Abdullah said the Jammu and Kashmir Police was keeping surveillance outside his house. Mr Abdullah alleged that his servants were being bribed to get information.

Ms Gurcharan Kaur, BJP, narrated a situation where she was delayed at her residence because she happened to be a neighbour of the wife of the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh. “At times I am struck for half an hour even to get in or out of my residence”, she said.

‘Nabbed’ ASI was checking up on Daler, says SSP
Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 17
The police here today claimed that the Assistant Sub-Inspector who was ‘nabbed’ in front of the residence of MP Sukhbir Singh Badal in Delhi yesterday had gone there to check up that wanted pop star Daler Mehndi or his relatives may visit the spot.

Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police A S Rai when questioned on the issue, said a thanksgiving ‘bhog’ had been organised at the residence of the MP and a number of people had collected at the spot.

He said ASI Randeep Singh, who had been ‘nabbed’ by Akali workers at the spot, had told the police here that he had a feeling that Daler or some of this relatives may come to the residence of the MP on the occasion due to which he was keeping a watch on the house.

The SSP said an ASP was part of a team led by Inspector Anil Sharma which had gone to Delhi to complete formalities needed to declare Daler a proclaimed offender in the case.

He said the ASI had been caught by some Akali workers and forcibly made to admit that he was watching the house following information that the MP was likely to distribute money to Congress dissidents camping in Delhi to force the ouster of State Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. He said the Delhi Police had subsequently questioned the man and released him after he had told them of the purpose of his visit to the residence of the MP.

Speaking on the issue of Daler Mehndi, Mr Rai said the pop singer should surrender in the case before December 19 to avoid being declared a proclaimed offender.

He said Daler should come and prove his innocence in the case. The police officer said the pop singer would be given human treatment and complete professional dealing with regard to the case registered against him.

He said the police had meanwhile completed all formalities needed to declare Daler a proclaimed offender under which posters had been pasted outside his residence as well as the residences of his relatives and other places which he was likely to visit.