Manpreet Badal appears before VB, says, ‘FIR filed, but that doesn’t make anyone guilty’
Earlier on October 23, Manpreet had cited medical reasons on the VB hearing.
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Outside the VB office on Tuesday. (Express Photo) Wearing an orthopaedic belt on his waist, former finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal appeared before the Vigilance Bureau (VB) in Bathinda on Tuesday afternoon.
Manpreet was summoned by the VB to join the investigation in an FIR lodged against him and five others in the purchase of two plots measuring 1,560 square yards in the upscale Model Town Area of Bathinda.
Earlier on October 23, Manpreet had cited medical reasons at the VB hearing.
While a cheating and forgery FIR was lodged against the former minister on September 23, the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) had granted him anticipatory bail on October 16.
After coming out of the VB office on Tuesday, Manpreet told media persons that vigilance was just a puppet in the hands of the government. “Just with the registration of an FIR, no one is declared guilty. The Punjab government is using the VB the way it likes. I have no trust in their investigation and so I demand that the case be handed over to the CBI. I have full faith on the HC and the country’s judiciary. Justice will prevail.
He added that one should torture a person based on his/her ability to tolerate it. “I am a representative of the people and I am accountable to the masses, so if needed, I am ready to appear before the VB even 100 times,” he said. Earlier, on October 23, his lawyer had sought exemption from physical appearance before the VB for 10 days owing to his backache. His medical report from PGI was also submitted.
On Tuesday, his lawyer stated that Manpreet was not in the best of his health and shouldn’t be questioned much.
Meanwhile, sources said that Manpreet was asked to furnish original papers of agreement while purchasing the two plots in Model Town Area of Bathinda and was also questioned about his Gurugram plot which he had sold off.
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