CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal MP Sher Singh Ghubaya and former BJP MLA Sukhpal Singh Nannu have been caught unawares with a photograph of them posing with Lakhwinder Singh Lakha, an accused in the Ferozepur corruption case, going viral on social media.
Lakha along with former Ferozepur district BJP president Jugraj Singh Katora and former Ferozepur Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha head Jimmy Sandhu, who also was the PA of Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma, and two police officers were booked on August 5 for allegedly helping drug smugglers and arms dealers.
Demanding Sharma’s resignation, Nannu had said that the state BJP chief chose such corrupt people at the cost of committed and genuine party workers.
A case was registered at Ferozepur Sadar Police Station under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and for possessing fake currency against Amritpal Singh and his family on June 20.
Amritpal and his father Jasvir were arrested, but bribed Lakha and Sandhu to wriggle out of custody.
Nannu had earlier released Sandhu’s photographs with Lakha to the media. But now Nannu himself is in an awkward position with his photograph with Lakha going viral.
Similarly, the SAD is also on the back foot over MP Sher Singh Ghubaya’s presence in the photo.
Earlier, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal had demanded the resignation of Sharma over the issue.
“Anybody, be it a minister or even my own family member, found to be associated with drug trafficking needs to clear his name,” Harsimrat had said.
It is said that during the Parliamentary elections last year, both Nannu and Ghubaya had visited Lakhwinder Singh Lakha ’s house to garner support for Ghubaya.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said the law would take its course in the case registered against Sandhu. He said the case had nothing to do with Sharma.
Meanwhile, Punjab Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa demanded a CBI probe into the issue. “I have demanded a CBI probe into the drug racket and my stand is vindicated by these revelations.
Not only Akali Dal leaders, but senior leaders of its alliance partner BJP are involved in the drug racket. A comprehensive probe by the CBI is required to unearth this deep-rooted scam,” said Bajwa.