SAD for joint investigation with UK in Jagtar Johal Jaggi terror case, BJP differs

Punjab News Express
CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) and BJP its alliance partner in Punjab have taken divergent stand on the issue of arrest of UK national Jagtar Singh Jaggi Johal in case of targeted killings of Hindu leaders in Punjab.

While BJP has justified the arrest of Jaggi Johal and described him Khalistan supporter, the SAD has said that doubts have been raised on the arrest of Jaggi Johal and demanded joint investigation by Indian and UK security agencies to probe the involvement of Johal.

SAD spokesman Virsa Singh Valtoha in a TV debate on News 18 said that they have doubt over the involvement of Jaggi Johan particularly when the MP's in UK and Sikh community have defended Johal and Indian Gvernment is not giving counsular access to UK embessey. He said that in past too there were many cases when people from Canada were detained by pu njab Police and tortured but later they were found innocent. He gave the example of Amarjit Singh a Minister in Canada who was arrested by Punjab Police on false charges. He said that if Johal was involved in such a sinister crime, why he would come to India for his marriage at a time when police investigation was going on in this case. Valtoha said that Punjab Police has the capacity to get forced confession from a person.

BJP spokesman Vineet Joshi objected to SAD stand and said that it was unfortunate that people who live in Punjab are batting for a foreign national who has links with Khalistanis. He said that it would have been better if Valtoha checked with the Police about role of Johal before commenting on his role. He said that the Hindu leaders killed by criminals were innocent and the incidents reminded black days of terrorism in Punjab.

Joshi also lashed out at AAP leader and Kharar MLA Kanwar Sandhu who has posted on social media that Johal was innocent and Police was trying to involve him in false case. Joshi said that AAP has history of supporting Khalistani elements. He warned AAP against disturbing peace of Punjab.

Kanwar Sandhu has also demanded joint investigation and consular access to Johal. Sandhu said that doubts exist over arrest of Johal. Congress spokesman Raj Kumar Verka has rejected the logic of Sandhu and described it anti-national statement.

British Sikh MP Tarmanjit Singh Dhesi has demanded counsular access to Johal. He has written a letter to British Government and said that unless Johal is convicted, the legal support to Johal is his right. BJP state president Vijay Sampla has told British MPs to use restrain and wait for the investigation by National Investigation Agency. He said that British MPs mught have soft corner due to pressure of Sikh community in UK.