Punjab Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa arrived at the Mohali cyber crime cell on Tuesday afternoon to record his statements regarding his controversial claim about “50 bombs reaching the state.” The summoning of Bajwa by the cyber crime cell led to a significant development in the ongoing investigation, as he was accompanied by senior Congress leaders, including Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.
Earlier in the day, Bajwa had taken a legal step by approaching the Punjab and Haryana High Court to seek the quashing of the FIR filed against him by the Mohali police. The FIR was lodged in response to a complaint made by a cyber police constable, who alleged that Bajwa’s statement was intended to disrupt public peace and sow discord among various communities, instilling fear and ill will.
The charges against Bajwa were under Sections 197(1)(d) and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertain to spreading false and misleading information that threatens the country’s unity and sovereignty, as well as making false statements with the intent to incite enmity or hatred. Section 353(2) of the BNS categorizes such offenses as non-bailable, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations, with a potential punishment of up to three years of imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The controversy surrounding Bajwa’s assertion of “50 bombs” in the state prompted Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to order an investigation into the matter. Intelligence officers, AIG Ravjot Kaur, and SP Harbir Singh Atwal visited Bajwa’s residence in Chandigarh as part of the inquiry, but reported that the Congress leader did not cooperate, leading to the filing of the FIR and subsequent summons.
Initially summoned on Monday, Bajwa requested more time to appear before the cyber crime cell, citing the late receipt of the summons on Sunday night. His appearance at the police station on Tuesday marked a significant development in the case, shedding light on the complexities surrounding the investigation into his controversial claims.
The unfolding events surrounding Partap Singh Bajwa’s statements have captured public attention and raised concerns about the implications of spreading false information that could incite fear and discord among communities. As the investigation progresses, the outcome of Bajwa’s statements and his subsequent actions will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for the political landscape in Punjab.