In a surprising development, former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and current Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira was arrested on Thursday at 6:20 AM at his Chandigarh residence. The arrest was made by Jalalabad police in connection with an old case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Khaira is expected to be presented before the Jalalabad court shortly.
According to available information, Sukhpal Khaira has been arrested in a 2015 NDPS case, based on the findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG). Notably, two Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) are also part of this SIT. However, Khaira maintains that this is a false case, and he has been granted relief by the Supreme Court in a similar matter.
Khaira, speaking before his arrest, alleged that Punjab was witnessing a state of lawlessness and political vendetta. He argued that his arrest was motivated by his opposition to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government, asserting, “Because I oppose CM Bhagwant Mann, they are taking action against me. All of my contacts are available; you can talk to my son.”
He further urged everyone not to be worried, emphasizing his readiness to fight the charges. He said, “I’ve faced 50 false cases before. I will fight this comfortably. They are arresting me from Chandigarh in an old 2015 false case in which nothing was found.”