The recent emergence of a hidden camera recording has led to a significant uproar involving a Punjab Police officer allegedly planting heroin at the home of a Shiv Sena leader in Khanna town. The video shows Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Sukhdev Singh entering the residence of Mahant Kashmir Giri and placing a packet under a mattress.

Following this incident, the officer has been suspended, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to investigate the matter further. In the footage, ASI Sukhdev Singh is seen in plain clothes before a police team arrives to conduct a search. The police subsequently claimed to have recovered approximately 30 grams of heroin from beneath the mattress.

This development has raised serious concerns regarding the legitimacy of the police operation and the methods employed in recovering the alleged contraband. The situation escalated after the arrest of the Mahant’s driver, Gurjant Singh Janta, who was reportedly found in possession of seven-and-a-half grams of heroin. During the interrogation, the name of Mahant Kashmir Giri surfaced, prompting the police to visit his residence for a search operation.

Police Response and Investigation

Following the release of the hidden camera footage, Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Darpan Ahluwalia took immediate action by suspending ASI Sukhdev Singh. An SIT, led by an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police, has been formed to thoroughly investigate the incident. The Mahant has also been discharged from the case.

It indicates that the police may be reassessing the circumstances surrounding the initial arrest and the subsequent search. The involvement of multiple police personnel during the operation has raised questions about the protocols followed in such cases. The police team included Sadar Police Station in-charge Vijaypal Singh and City Police Station-2 in-charge Tarvinder Kumar Bedi, among others.

Their roles in the incident are likely to come under scrutiny as the investigation unfolds. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the findings of the SIT will impact the reputations of those involved and the Punjab Police as a whole. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about police conduct and accountability within the state.

Political Reactions to the Controversy

The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from various political figures, particularly from the Shiromani Akali Dal. Party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has publicly condemned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, accusing it of failing to uphold law and order. He expressed his outrage on social media platform X, highlighting the alleged misconduct of the police officer caught on camera.

Badal’s comments reflect a growing concern among opposition parties regarding the governance and policing standards in Punjab. He questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann about the incident, suggesting that the AAP’s promises of improved governance have not been realised.

In response to the backlash, AAP cabinet minister Barinder Kumar Goyal confirmed that action had been taken against the ASI involved in the incident. He further stated that political parties conducting yatras were attempting to tarnish Punjab’s image, indicating a belief that the controversy is being politicised for electoral gain.

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