DEO orders action against SAD leader for liquor at rally

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 20

Tarn Taran District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Pardeep Kumar Sabharwal, in his report on the alleged serving of liquor during an Akali rally at Dehra Sahib village in Khadoor Sahib last week, has directed the SSP and Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner (AETC) to take legal action against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Gurinder Singh, alias Tony.

Tony is said to be the nephew of SAD (Taksali) president Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, who had reported the matter to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Dr S Karuna Raju.

Tony had organised the rally where he had joined the Akali Dal. The inquiry was ordered after the CEO prima facie found that liquor was served at the poll meeting on March 13 in violation of the poll code.

The DEO’s report has named top leaders of the SAD present in the meeting, including Bikram Singh Majithia, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Virsa Singh Valhota, Alwinder Pal Singh Pakhoke, Harmeet Singh Sandhu and Manjeet Singh Manna.

The report says these leaders also participated in the unauthorised political rally, used loud speakers in an unauthorised manner and violated the model code of conduct.

Bibi Jagir Kaur claimed that the allegations were baseless and levelled by their political rivals to harm their poll prospects.

In response to the notices by the DEO, Tony’s replies were found to be “against the facts in the complaint and hence rendered untenable”.

Tony had organised the rally at his residence without obtaining permission from the authorities concerned. “Holding a rally and using loudspeakers without permission is a clear violation of code of conduct under Section 144, CrPC,” the report adds.