Punjab CM: It's for ED to explain from where & whom recovery made

Chandigarh, January 19

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday accused the BJP-led Union Government of hatching a “conspiracy to trap him” following the ED raids on his nephew Bhupinder Singh Honey’s premises in connection with a 2018 illegal sand mining case.

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“The BJP wants to punish me because of the PM’s ‘failed’ trip to poll-bound Punjab. This was clearly conveyed by the raiding team. I urge the Election Commission of India to ensure free and fair elections and stop the Centre from trying to arm-twist me, my ministers and MLAs,” a visibly upset CM told the media.

Conspiracy to derail congress campaign

My nephew was tortured in a bid to implicate me in the 2018 case. Raids are a plot to derail Congress campaign. I urge ECI to ensure free poll. —Punjab CM

On the recovery of Rs 10 crore cash from his nephew, the CM said it was for the ED to explain from where and from whom the recovery was made. “My nephew was tortured for hours in a bid to implicate me in the case. His name did not even figure in the 2018 illegal mining case. The raids are part of a larger plot to derail the Congress campaign,” he maintained.

Channi was accompanied by his colleagues Brahm Mohindra, Sukhjinder Randhawa and Sukhbinder Sarkaria.