Clouds of trouble looming over Sukhbir Badal

Last Monday, the SIT, which is investigating the case of firing on Sikh Sangat in Kotkapura after the sacrilege incident in village Bargadi of Faridkot in 2015, presented its supplementary challan. In this, the investigation team has alleged that the conspiracy of Kotkapura firing was hatched by the then Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and DGP Sumedh Saini to take political advantage. It is alleged that this conspiracy was hatched to please Dera lovers and try to get their votes in the elections. After the sacrilege case of October 2015, the SIT headed by ADGP LK Yadav is investigating the Kotkapura and Bahibal Kalan shootings. SIT has already filed a 7100-page charge sheet in the court against 7 accused, including former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, DGP Sumedh Saini, IG Paramraj Singh Umranangal, then DIG Firozpur Amar Singh Chahal, SSP Moga Charanjit Sharma, SSP Faridkot Sukhmandar Singh Mann. And police station city Kotkapura in-charge Gurdeep Singh was made accused.

Last Monday, two more supplementary challans were presented in the court by the Special Investigation Team and it was claimed that a deep conspiracy of Kotkapura shooting was hatched by former Punjab Home Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Sumedh Singh Saini. The investigation team has filed investigation report, forensic report, ammunition used during the incident against Sukhbir Singh Badal, former DGP Sumedh Saini, IG Paramraj Singh Umranangal, SSP Sukhmandar Singh Mann, former SHO of Police Station City Kotkapura Gurdeep Singh. Ballistic report, witness list and other documents have been handed over to the court. The investigation team has also handed over the notice and other material issued to the court to identify the accused who attacked the police team. After receiving the challan files, the court has fixed the hearing of the case for March 1. The court has issued notice to the accused and directed them to appear in the court on March 1.

It is clear from the challan presented above and the facts given that clouds of trouble are looming over Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. Whether the allegations against Sukhbir Badal are proved in the court or not is a matter for later. But keeping in view the Lok Sabha elections to be held in 2024, it can be said that due to the facts given in the challan, it will be a very difficult task for Sukhbir Badal to defend himself in Punjab politics, especially in Sikh politics.

In view of the Lok Sabha elections, the chances of forming an alliance between Akali Dal, Badal and BJP were increasing, then suddenly Kisan Andolan-2 started and the chances of forming an alliance were blurred. Now Sukhbir Badal is seen in trouble after the challan presented by the investigation team in the court. BJP too, in view of the situation arising after the presentation of challan, will not try to form an alliance with Akali Dal Badal until Sukhbir Badal does not get relief from the court from the allegations. Looking at the time of presenting the challan and the political circumstances of the state, it is clear that the clouds of trouble seem to be deepening for Sukhbir Badal.