Punjab AAP MLA at it again: After DC, he now complains against the SSP

In the complaint, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, the MLA stated: “This complaint is in reference to my complaint submitted to the Bathinda SSP for registration of an FIR against the Bathinda DC under relevant sections of SC/ST Act and other relevant provisions of law for allegedly conspiring to harass, insult and humiliate me (a sitting SC MLA) in public view. The complaint was submitted on October 25 and a copy was also marked to Bathinda range, but to my knowledge, till yesterday (October 28), no action has been taken by the SSP.”

The MLA also stated that the SSP should be directed to provide a copy of the FIR with a DDR (daily diary report) entry made at the police station concerned without any further delay to him. In case an FIR is not registered, proper disciplinary action should be taken against the SSP under Section 4 of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, the legislator further stated in the complaint.

In his complaint, Kotfatta also alleged that the DC is continuing to give statements in this regard and is officially misusing his position. This must be examined, and appropriate action against him as per the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, should be considered, he stated.

Surinder Pal Singh Parmar, additional DGP Bathinda range, said, “I am yet to see the content of the complaint. I will go through it on Monday. Without reading the complaint, I can’t comment on it.”

Bathinda DC Showkat Ahmad Parray refused to comment on the issue. The tussle between the MLA and the DC broke out when the legislator’s name in the invitation card for the farmer training camp held on October 14 at Kheti Bhawan on Dabwali Road in Bathinda was missing and the legislator took umbrage against it.

Congress reacts

Taking a dig at Kotfatta’s complaint against the DC, Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Sunday said the arrogance of “the pseudo-Aam Aadmis” (ministers and legislators) of the AAP government is at its worst.

“This is nothing but ridiculous. Kotfatta, who himself is already embroiled in an alleged bribery case, has approached Bathinda SSP seeking registration of an FIR against the Bathinda DC for alleged insult meted out to him,” Bajwa said in a press statement.

Referring to a news report that appeared in The Indian Express on Sunday, Bajwa said that the government function was held on October 14, the MLA filed the complaint on October 25, two days after Bathinda municipal corporation started to earmark the land on which Kotfatta’s father and retired income tax commissioner Babu Rattan is allegedly constructing a house. According to the complainant, the land on which the house is being constructed is a ‘shamlat land’ of Patti Jhutti village on which an inquiry is being conducted by the municipal corporation.

“Instead of booking the Bathinda DC, the AAP government in Punjab should order a thorough impartial probe into the alleged ‘shamlat land’ grab attempt involving the family of the MLA. Thereafter, legal action should be taken against whosoever is found to be involved in such an illegal activity,” said Bajwa in the release.

Kotfatta should be suspended until at least the investigation is on, Bajwa added.

“Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann often boasts about ridding the state of corruption. But he has failed terribly to act against his government’s own minister and party’s legislators, whose names have directly or indirectly come up in cases of corruption, bribery, and other illegal activities,” Bajwa said.