Particle.news
Download on the App Store
6 ARTICLES
·
1h ago

Punjab Panchayat Polls Row Deepens as HC Issues Notice and FIR Is Filed Over Alleged SSP Audio

The dispute has moved into formal scrutiny before the December 14 elections.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress held protests at Bhikhiwind on Wednesday, alleging that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers stopped their party candidates from filing nominations for the upcoming Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls.
Torn remains of nomination papers in Patiala on Thursday. (HT Photo)
Image
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal posted the alleged conference call audio clip on social media, stating that the SSP is heard issuing instructions to stop candidates at their houses, villages, or en route to the nomination centres, rather than at the centres.

Overview

  • Opposition parties alleged AAP workers and police blocked rivals from filing nominations on the final day, with reports of papers being snatched and candidates obstructed in multiple districts.
  • SAD released an audio it says captures Patiala SSP Varun Sharma instructing police to stop Opposition nominees; AAP and Patiala Police rejected the clip as fake and AI-generated.
  • The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued notice to the state government and the State Election Commission on an SAD PIL seeking an FIR and the SSP’s suspension, with the matter listed for Monday.
  • Patiala Police registered an FIR against unknown persons over the viral clip, and DGP Gaurav Yadav assigned the investigation to ADGP (Law and Order) SPS Parmar following directions from the State Election Commissioner.
  • Local administrators intervened at some centres, including Bhikhiwind in Tarn Taran, to ensure nominations were accepted, even as protests and scuffles were reported elsewhere; polling is on December 14 with counting on December 17.