VB looks on as Badal nails ‘lie’

There was high drama at former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal’s residence today as he gave the lie to the Vigilance Bureau c...

There was high drama at former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal’s residence today as he gave the lie to the Vigilance Bureau charge that Harbans Lal, the manager of a petrol pump owned by his brother, was his conduit by producing most of the dozen-odd persons who had allegedly bribed him through Lal.

Kuldip Singh Ghumiara, who the VB claimed had paid Badal Rs 2.5 lakh to get his son appointed panchayat secretary, led the group. ‘‘My son is 12 years old. But VB claims he has been appointed a panchayat secretary by Badal.’’ Then, it was time for Badal to introduce the next person. ‘‘Even if one of the charges is proved, I would accept that all the 14 allegations are true,’’ Badal said.

Next came Bakhtaur Singha of Warringkhera village, who had allegedly paid Rs 4 lakh for recruitment as patwari and panchayat secretary. He said all four of his sons are farmers and aren’t qualified to become panchayat secretary. And one of his sons, a patwari, was recruited in 1986 when Capt Amarinder Singh was agriculture minister. Badal was not a minister then.

Story continues below this ad

Last came Dayal Singh of Kaulianwali village who, the VB claims had paid Rs 45 lakh to make it to the Punjab Subordinate Service Selection Board. ‘‘I was appointed two months before the Badal government was to end, and I did not even enter the building of the PSSSB.’’ If you had, the VB would have arrested you by now, Badal quipped.

Badal demanded the Supreme Court appoint an independent commission in all states to probe cases against political persons.

SP leader Azam Khan walks out of jail after 23 months, hundreds of supporters welcome him

Cities41 min ago

Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, who is facing multiple cases, walked out of the Sitapur jail today after 23 months. He was scheduled to be released early Tuesday morning, but it was delayed due to impending court proceedings. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Sitapur jail, waiting for the SP leader to walk out of prison.

View all shorts

Live Blog