Taking exception to not being invited to a district-level programme organised by the Department of Agriculture in Bathinda, AAP MLA Amit Rattan Kotfatta has filed a complaint with the SSP seeking an FIR against Deputy Commissioner (DC) Showkat Ahmad Parray under relevant sections of SC/ST Act and other IPC sections for allegedly conspiring to harass, insult and humiliate him in public view. While the function was held on October 14, the MLA filed the complaint on October 25. The MLA's complaint came 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. Inquiry in the complaint had already been started by Bathinda municipal corporation, confirmed sources. In his complaint, the MLA stated that he had received an invitation card on October 12 for a farmer training camp to be held on October 14 at Kheti Bhawan on Dabwali Road in Bathinda. The card had his name. However, a new set of cards was distributed on October 13 in which his name was missing, the MLA said, adding he felt “ignored and felt insulted” over removal of his name. Information revealed that in the first invitation card, names of all the six MLAs of Bathinda district were mentioned including that of Kotfatta. Sources privy to the development said that the invitation card reached the CMO from where it was instructed that any officer/MLA/leader against whom any police case is going on shouldn't be invited to government programmes. Following the instructions, Kotfatta's name was taken off and a new invitation card was printed. On February 24 this year, Kotfatta was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau after his close aide Rashim Garg was caught taking Rs 4 lakh in bribe from one Pritpal Kumar of Ghudda village outside the Circuit House, while the MLA was sitting inside. The MLA was released on bail on May 23. In his complaint — a copy with the Indian Express — the MLA said that he had tried to contact the deputy commissioner following the invitation card incident but the latter didn't pick up his calls. However, through exchange of messages, DC had initially “put the blame of removing my name on the 'Minister' and subsequently gave the reason that it was a department function and he (DC) had no role in it”. Bathinda SSP Gulneet Singh Khurana confirmed that he has “received the complaint of the MLA against the DC and we are investigating the details”. DC Parray refused to comment. “Let the complaint be investigated. Police should examine it as per law,” he said. Earlier, in a press statement, Kotfatta said, “I represent the SC community and work for their welfare. I have complained against the DC before the SSP Bathinda and have even sent a copy of the complaint to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for due action. I have full trust in his governance”. In the October 14 programme, Master Jagsir Singh, an SC MLA from Bhucho Mandi, was present. Kotfatta didn't react regarding the complaint against the construction of the house in name of his father.
