Punjab cops knock on Vishwas, Alka Lamba’s doors, serve notices for questioning

In a statement, the Ropar police said that a case under Sections 153, 153A, 505, 505 (2) , 116 read with Section 143, 147, 323 (assault), 341 (illegal confinement), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and under Representation of Peoples Act was registered against Vishwas and Lamba on April 12.

In run up to the Punjab Assembly polls, Vishwas had accused Kejriwal of supporting separatists. Lamba has been accused of backing the remarks made by Vishwas. The complainant in the case has told the police that after Vishwas’ statement peaceful atmosphere of Punjab was likely to be disturbed. He claimed that when he was travelling in villages along with AAP supporters, some masked men stopped them and called them Khalistani. “Similar incidents have been regularly occurring. All this started after Kumar Vishwas gave inflammatory statements,” the complaint said.

The police on Wednesday said: “As a part of the investigation into the case, notice has been served upon Kumar Vishwas to produce whatever evidence he has to support his allegations. The matter is being investigated as per facts and law.”

Lamba has been asked to explain on what basis she supported Vishwas, police said.

Punjab DGP Viresh Kumar Bhawra did not respond to phone calls.

Vishwas tweeted about the police team visiting his Ghaziabad home on Wednesday morning and warned that AAP chief Kejriwal will one day “betray” Punjab.

“The Punjab Police visited in the morning. I am forewarning @BhagwantMann, whom I had inducted into the party, that the person sitting in Delhi, who is being allowed to play with the power of people, will one day betray you and Punjab,” said Vishwas in a Hindi tweet.

Congress leader Alka Lamba said the Punjab Police pasted a notice outside her Delhi home, summoning her for questioning in the case. The notice said she has also been “nominated as an accused” in the case.

Soon after, opposition leaders accused the Bhagwant Mann government of acting like AAP chief’s “puppet”.

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring accused Kejriwal of misusing the state police to settle personal scores.

“It was an outright abuse of power by an extra-constitutional authority like Kejriwal,” he said.

Former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Sidhu tweeted, “Pb Govt is acting like @ArvindKejriwal’s puppet…Police action against @DrKumarVishwas & @LambaAlka ji shows that it is being used to silence his critics…Congress firmly stands with Alka ji…Will accompany her to police station to protest against politicisation of Pb police.”

Sidhu also shared a meme of Kejriwal driving a ‘Punjab Govt’ scooter and Mann riding it as a child.

Congress Legislature Party leader in the Vidhan Sabha and Qadian MLA tweeted, “The @AAPPunjab is using Punjab Police as their private security staff.”

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal termed the police action against Vishwas as violation of the constitution. Party spokesperson Daljit Cheema tweeted, “SAD strongly condemns the dictatorial action of AAP & urges @ArvindKejriwal to stop creating emergency like situation”.

BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh said the Punjab CM on behalf of his mentor Kejriwal was making “blatant misuse of police force to unleash political vendetta against political rivals”.