Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today requested the Election Commission to order the immediate arrest of Congress Shahkot by-poll candidate Hardev Singh Laadi to ensure free and fair investigation into the criminal case registered against him.In a statement here, the SAD president said since the model code of conduct was in force in Shahkot the EC should direct the immediate arrest and custodial interrogation of the Congress candidate to uncover his role in the mining mafia being run in the State. Mr Badal said this was necessary as the ruling Congress dispensation was not only trying to prevent action against Laadi but had also launched a vilification campaign against Mehatpur SHO Parminder Singh who had registered a case against the Congress leader.The SAD president said arresting an accused after a criminal case is registered against him was necessary to get to the bottom of sensitive cases like theft of natural resources as was the case with regard to Laadi. He said the Congress government was not expected to act on this issue as it was adopting double standards. “The government is bent on taking action on five year old cases but is not acting against the mining mafia solely because it is patronised by the Congress party”, he added.