Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday lashed out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sukhpal Khaira for questioning the integrity and honesty of Justice (Retd) JS Narang, who is probing all aspects of the recent sand mind auctions in view of the allegations against a state cabinet minister.the Chief Minister dismissed as ridiculous Khaira’s charges of `close relations’ between Justice (Retd) JS Narang, who is probing the sand mine auctions, and Minister Rana Gurjit Singh, against whom allegations of `benami transactions’ have been made by a section of the media.He was talking informally with media persons here after meeting AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi.Describing the meeting as `routine’, Captain Amarinder said it had been over a month since he had last met Rahul, and hence called upon the AICC vice president during his visit to Delhi today.Asked about the controversy triggered by the allegations against State Irrigation & Power Minister Rana Gurjit Singh that he had acquired sand mines through his company employees during the recent auctions, the Chief Minister said the one-man judicial commission of Justice Narang was investigating the same.
“Let the report of the judicial inquiry come in. Let us not crucify the minister without proof,” he said.Captain Amarinder rejected outright the AAP statement that Justice Narang should recuse himself from the inquiry since his son had appeared as counsel for Rana Gurjit’s relative in some case.“Khaira’s is related to Justice Ranjit Singh, who is heading the fresh commission we have instituted to investigate the sacrilege cases. So does that mean he can influence him?” said the Chief Minister, showing full faith in Justice Narang’s propriety and professional conduct. Simply because a judge is related to someone or has some professional dealing with them does not mean that one can question his integrity, he added.Captain Amarinder flayed Khaira for raising doubts about the uprightness of the judge, who was known for his fair dealings and strong sense of justice, expertise in corporate affairs and whose merit and integrity were beyond doubt.On the issue of the proposed expansion of his cabinet, the Chief Minister said it would be done in due course and the media would be duly informed as and when the expansion takes place.