M A I N   N E W S

BHOLA’S DRUG RING
As Bajwa seeks CBI probe, Capt says police good enough for job
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 10
Permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has strongly opposed the demand to hand over the investigation in the international drug racket to the CBI .

Probably, the people who want the case to be handed over to the CBI at this stage when the probe by the Patiala police is nearing completion, only want to delay the matter to save their own skin. Delaying the matter can only help the culprits, he said.

Reacting strongly to the views of the former CM, Punjab Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa said this was Amarinder’s personal view. “Official line of the All-India Congress Committee and the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee is that the inquiry should be handed over to the CBI because this drug racket has spread not only in the country but at the international level. Besides, there are allegations of a senior Akali Minister being linked with it”, said Bajwa.

However, taking a clear stand in support of Punjab Police, Amarinder said the police led by Patiala Hardial Singh Mann had done a commendable job by busting the racket. “We must not seek the CBI investigation, particularly when the investigation is at a crucial stage”, he observed, while warning, “giving it to any other agency at this stage will mean playing into the hands of the criminals and vested interests”. The investigation should not be allowed to be delayed, deviated and drifted from the right course, he pointed out.

“I have been raising this issue at various forums for the last 15 years. Now, when police officers like Mann have shown the courage to take the bull by its horns, no one should impede their way”, said the former CM.

Bajwa said the case involved drug trade worth Rs 6,000 crore and required handling at the level of the CBI.