Punjab Police on Wednesday filed an FIR against former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kumar Vishwas in Rupnagar town for ‘inflammatory statements’ against AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal in the run-up to the 20 February state Assembly elections. Vishwas, who was a founding member of the Aam Aadmi Party had alleged that Kejriwal had connections with separatists in Punjab, and those having sympathy with separatists used to come to his house for meetings during the last assembly polls. “A case FIR number 25 dated 12.04.22 has been registered u/s 153, 153A, 505, 505 (2) , 116 r/w 143, 147, 323, 341, 120-B IPC and 125 Representation of Peoples Act,” read the FIR.
“The complainant said that when he was campaigning in a village along with AAP supporters, some masked men stopped them and called them Khalistani. Similar incidents have been regularly occurring. All this started after Kumar Vishwas gave inflammatory statements against AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal on news channels/ social media platforms alleging AAP links with separatist elements,” stated the FIR. “As a result of these statements and videos, the peaceful atmosphere of the state of Punjab is likely to be disturbed,” the FIR further read. As part of the investigation, notice has been served upon Kumar Vishwas to produce whatever evidence he has to support his allegations. The matter is being investigated as per facts and law, said Punjab Police. The Centre had also granted ‘Y’ category security cover to the poet-turned-politician Kumar Vishwas after he accused Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal of having links with separatist outfits.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Police summoned Congress leader Alka Lamba to appear before the special investigation team at Sadar Rupnagar police station on 26 April in connection with her alleged derogatory statement against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ahead of Punjab Assembly polls. “You have been nominated as an accused. During the investigation, it is revealed that there are reasonable grounds to question you to ascertain facts and circumstances from you. Hence you are summoned to appear in person before Special Investigation Team at 10.00 am on or before April 26 at Police Station Sadar Rupnagar for purpose of Investigation,” read the Punjab Police notice to Lamba on Wednesday. “You are directed to comply with all the following directions:-(a) You will not tamper with the evidences in the case in any manner whatsoever. (b) You will join the investigation of the case as and when required and will cooperate in the investigation. (c) You will produce all relevant documents/material required for the investigation. Please note in case you fail to appear before the SIT, necessary steps shall be initiated to compel the attendance,” it added. Following the notice, Lamba took to Twitter and said she did not fear the threat of the AAP government in Punjab. “Punjab Police has pasted the notice on the wall of the house and threatened on the behalf of Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government that if I do not appear in the police station on April 26, then the consequences will be bad. This Gandhian soldier of Congress was not afraid of big Sanghis. Now there is no question of fearing the little Sanghi,” Lamba tweeted in Hindi.