Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government and the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, holding them responsible for promoting gangsters. He stated that glorifying gangsters and extortionists is dangerous for society, and both governments are ignoring this issue.
Randhawa said that the situation in Punjab is not satisfactory. He claimed that most of the major gangsters active in Punjab are based in BJP-ruled states, from where they carry out criminal activities in Punjab.
He challenged the Punjab Police to verify that these gangsters’ mobile phones remain active in Punjab 24×7. He added that the government has failed to control them. Referring to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, currently lodged in Sabarmati Jail, Randhawa said that court orders have been obtained stating that he cannot be interrogated outside the jail.
This raises the question of how other states or their police forces can question him. He further said that the Punjab government was exposed in the case of Bishnoi’s interview from within Punjab jail.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had earlier stated that the interview did not take place in Punjab. However, after the High Court transferred the investigation to another state, the investigating officer reportedly confirmed in writing that the interview was conducted inside a Punjab police station and jail.
Randhawa also criticized the Punjab government over advertisements featuring gangsters. He said it was completely wrong to issue such advertisements with the Chief Minister’s photograph alongside gangsters.
He remarked that the Chief Minister should have felt ashamed, but instead is seeking publicity through such advertisements. He added sarcastically that the Chief Minister becomes silent in front of gangsters.
He also targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the case of an official who allegedly died by suicide under pressure from Punjab cabinet minister Laljit Singh Bhullar. Randhawa alleged that Amit Shah had said that if Congress MPs submitted a written request, the case would be handed over to the CBI.
However, despite submitting the request, no action was taken. He also criticized the Punjab BJP leadership for remaining silent and only making statements without action.