Patiala, December 6 — Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday urged a Central agency probe into Patiala SSP Varun Sharma and other officers after an audio clip surfaced allegedly discussing ways to prevent Opposition candidates from filing nomination papers for Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections.
In a written complaint to the State Election Commission, Badal demanded the immediate suspension of the officers named and a CBI, NIA, or other Central agency investigation. “We cannot allow police officers to interfere in the democratic process and block candidates from exercising their right to contest elections,” Badal said.
The controversy intensified when Patiala police registered a case against an “unidentified person” caught on camera snatching papers from a woman SAD candidate in Ghanaur. Akali Dal leader Sarabjeet Singh Jhinjer claimed the man was an AAP worker and linked him to Ghanaur legislator Gurlal Singh. “Despite clear photographs, police still registered the accused as unidentified,” he said.
Patiala police have filed six FIRs in different stations — two at Samana City and one each at Ghanaur, Julkan, Nabha, and Tripuri. Only two accused have been formally identified.
