AAP govt suppressed case files of Dera Sacha Sauda chief: Pargat Singh

Indian Express

5 days ago

Congress MLA Pargat Singh Tuesday raised serious concerns over the Punjab government's intent and the prolonged delay in delivering justice in the 2015 sacrilege cases.
Addressing a press conference here Tuesday, he said that after the AAP came to power, case files pertaining to Dera Sacha Sauda chief were suppressed. 'For over two and a half years, prosecution sanction was not granted against Dera chief Ram Rahim. Repeated questions were raised in the Vidhan Sabha, but the government remained silent,' he said.
Pargat said not a single AAP MLA of 95 ever raised their voice on the matter. He added that cases against Dera followers were transferred outside Punjab under a conspiracy involving AAP, and even senior advocate HS Phoolka publicly exposed this plot.
He said that after the AAP government assumed office in May 2022, the file seeking prosecution sanction against Ram Rahim was submitted to CM Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the Home portfolio. 'I met him in December 2022 regarding the matter. I also raised the issue thrice in the Assembly, yet nothing was done,' he said.
Pargat Singh also clarified Congress' position and asserted that the party took serious action when in power. 'The Congress government had constituted the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission and launched an investigation. Rahul Gandhi visited Punjab and assured the people that justice would be served. When there was a slowdown in action, the Congress replaced its Chief Minister and accelerated the SIT probe,' he said.
He added that when former CM Captain Amarinder Singh compromised with the Badal family and allowed the investigation to be derailed, a group of justice-seeking Congress MLAs approached the party high command and ensured the leadership was changed.
He also criticised the SAD, stating, 'Sukhbir Badal has not named the Dera chief even once because his only concern is saving his Bathinda seat—not securing justice for the sacrilege of Guru Sahib.'
He added that in the 2015 sacrilege cases, there was an attempt to falsely implicate Sikh youth.
Holding the BJP directly responsible, Pargat added, 'The BJP must clarify its stand. It has always worked against Punjab's interests. Sukhbir avoided calling the Dera chief guilty because of BJP's influence.'
He asked why AAP leaders Aman Arora, Harpal Cheema, and Kultar Singh Sandhwan are silent today. 'These are the same people who once demanded justice within three months,' he said.