Legal hitch, can’t probe SAD leader in drug case: ADGP SK Asthana

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 13

The Punjab Government is all set to replace ADGP SK Asthana as the head of the Bureau of Investigation (BoI) as a letter written by him to DGP Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota, citing legal hurdles in conducting reinvestigation in drugs cases against a senior Akali leader, was leaked.

The letter written by Asthana on December 11 before proceeding on medical leave gives a reprieve to the leader against whom the Congress regime under CM Charanjit Channi wanted a reinvestigation in drugs cases.

The letter also cast aspersions on Harpreet Singh Sidhu, head of the STF on drugs. It said he should have recused himself from any probe involving the leader as both were related. Sidhu has refuted the claim.

Sources said the government was considering names of senior officials for replacing Asthana. “The post of the BoI chief is vacant as the incumbent officer is on leave,” said Deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.

In the over 40-page letter, Asthana pointed out that no investigation or reinvestigation could be carried out against the leader without permission of the High Court. He wrote, “I may place on record my apprehension that further investigation shall require appropriate order by a superior court, which in the present case is the High Court as the trials were conducted before the Special CBI Court, SAS Nagar.”