Congress leader Alka Lamba, who was summoned for allegedly making false statements against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal before the Punjab Assembly polls, appeared before Rupnagar police on Wednesday.
She was accompanied by a party delegation consisting of Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, senior party leaders, including Punjab Congress Legislature party leader Partap Singh Bajwa, MLAs Sukhjinder Randhawa, Raj Kumar Chabbewal, former ministers Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Balbir Sidhu, Gurkirat Kotli and Punjab Youth Congress chief Brinder Dhillon. Lamba said, “I stand by my statement.”
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) has demanded immediate cancellation of the FIR registered against Lamba, stating that it has only been registered to settle the personal agenda as she has been critical of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
In a letter to Punjab Police DGP VK Bhawra, senior Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said: “We on behalf of the people of Punjab in general and the Congress party in particular request you to immediately order the cancellation of FIR against senior Congress leader Alka Lamba.”
Bajwa said that Punjab Police has no jurisdiction to register an FIR because on which the FIR is based, was allegedly made in Delhi against a person who is also based in Delhi.
“Holding such a senior and responsible position you are well aware that the alleged statements, on which the FIR is based, were allegedly made in Delhi against a person who is also based in Delhi. While no criminal offence is made from the purported statements, even if these did, the Ropar/Punjab Police have no jurisdiction to register an FIR,” he said.
The Congress leader further said that this is not just a misuse of power and authority, but total abuse of power. “Needless to add, this FIR will not stand any legal security with the likelihood of the police officers concerned getting censured for their action aimed at pleasing their political bosses remotely based in Delhi,” he added.
“We will adopt all legal and constitutional means to get this unlawful FIR cancelled. We hope you are able to see the reason and order immediate cancellation of the FIR,” he said.