In a major development, on Saturday, Punjab AdditionalDirector General of police and head of Bureau of Investigation SK Asthana hasproceeded for two-day leave amid the reports of pressure on the Channi-led-Congressgovernment to take action against the SAD leaders in Rs 6,000-crore syntheticdrug case.
A fortnight ago, SK Asthana was appointed as Bureau of InvestigationChief to initiate the probe and arrest high-profile Shiromani Akali Dalpoliticians involved in drug case.
Meanwhile, SK Asthana has denied reports of being underpressure. He claimed that that he has faced much political pressure in hiscareer but the exact reason behind his leave application is his serious ailment.
In his letter to Punjab govt, Asthana said, “It is humblysubmitted that I have a medical emergency with severe atrial fibrillation ofthe heart leading to abnormal heart rhythm and heart rate. I have been advisedby the doctor to be on complete medical rest for the next 48-hours” hereportedly said.
Asthana was supposed to meet Punjab CM Channi today todiscuss the drug case. However, citing his health issues BOI Chief proceeded onleave. Also, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal hadearlier alleged that Punjab CM is pressurizing the state police chief toimplicate the Akali Dal leadership in the 2015 sacrilege and police firingcases.
ADGP Asthana has replaced ADGP Varinder Kumar and beforehim, Arpit Shukla was moved out as BoI head. “Both officials replaced beforeAsthana had expressed their inability to take action against a former Akaliminister stating that there was nothing concrete against him on officialfiles,” said a senior official familiar with developments.
To this development, a senior official said that thegovernment has put enormous pressure on the BoI to take action against a formerAkali minister after officials from the Special Task Force (STF) stated thatthey have been unable to charge any high-profile SAD politician.
The STF’s report and drug menace have remained one of thekey issues in Punjab. With elections approaching and unprecedented change inguard, the ruling Congress has been under high pressure to act over the issue.PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu since long has been targeting his own governmentover the matter, inflicting major damage to the party’s image ahead of polls.
If sources are to be believed, the STF report containsseveral high profile individuals and the Channi government will try to make thenames public to win the trust of Punjab voters.