The Election Commission of India (ECI) summoned the Punjab DGP after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) raised complaints about fake FIRs and illegal arrests during the Tarn Taran bypoll.
SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said the AAP government misused its authority during the campaign. He added that the party sent several written complaints to the EC and its observers.
Cheema thanked the EC for shifting two DSPs, removing one SHO, and suspending the SSP. He said the state government still targeted SAD workers. According to him, local leaders and traders received threats to support the AAP candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu.
Cheema said the police detained several SAD leaders on polling day. He added that officers also raided many homes that day. He claimed he informed the SSP, the returning officer, and the chief electoral officer about these incidents.
After the results, Cheema said the police filed fresh FIRs against several SAD leaders and arrested many of them. He pointed to FIR No. 0261, lodged on November 15 at Police Station City, Tarn Taran.
Cheema said the party earlier filed a complaint with evidence against officers who followed the candidate’s daughter in a private car with a fake number plate. He claimed the police ignored that complaint and instead booked the complainants. He said officers arrested leaders such as Nachattar Singh on November 15.
SAD urged the ECI to order an independent inquiry into all FIRs filed after the bypoll results.
