Punjab Police Controversy: Harsimrat Badal Raises Privilege Violation Allegation Against Mansa SSP
Shiromani Akali Dal leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has sought the intervention of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla over alleged misconduct by Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vaibhav Chaudhary. She has demanded the initiation of parliamentary proceedings for an alleged breach of her privileges while raising public concerns.
In a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Badal referred to Rules 222 and 223 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha. She alleged that the police officer obstructed her efforts to highlight public grievances and sought action against him.
The incident relates to her visit to the family of Daljit Singh in Bhamme Kalan village of Mansa district on October 29. Daljit Singh, a marginal farmer, died reportedly due to a drug overdose, according to his family. During the visit, Badal contacted SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary over the phone to seek information about the police action in the matter.
The controversy emerged amid ongoing protests following the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh, popularly known as Jhotta. He was allegedly shot dead by a medical store owner on October 13 over a dispute involving the illegal sale of narcotic substances.
Allegations of Police Taking Body Without Family's Consent
In her letter, Badal alleged that the police forcibly took Daljit Singh's body without obtaining the family's consent. The family was protesting against the action and demanding accountability from those responsible.
She further alleged that the police used force and intimidated family members during the incident. According to her, the authorities did not provide satisfactory information about where the body had been taken or the arrangements for handing it over to the family.
Badal also raised concerns over Daljit Singh's father, Jarnail Singh, who suffers from diabetes. She alleged that uniformed police personnel took him away from the spot and that the family was not informed about his whereabouts.
Badal Questions SSP's Conduct During Phone Conversation
Harsimrat Badal stated that her conversation with the Mansa SSP had been recorded. She alleged that the officer repeatedly interrupted her, described her statements as a misleading narrative and dismissed her questions as misleading.
According to Badal, the SSP acknowledged that the police had taken possession of Daljit Singh's body to maintain law and order. However, he reportedly maintained that the family should come forward to collect the body.
She further alleged that the SSP denied any police involvement in taking Jarnail Singh away and advised the family to register a missing-person complaint.
Seeks Referral to Privileges Committee
Seeking the Lok Sabha Speaker's intervention, Badal has requested that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee and that a fact-based report be sought from the Punjab Government.
She has also demanded copies of the relevant FIR, the death investigation report and the post-mortem findings.
In addition, she has sought records relating to the alleged forcible removal of Daljit Singh's body, arrangements for handing it over to the family, and information about whether Jarnail Singh is missing or in police custody.