Sidhu furious again at Channi government: made STF report public and asked for action; Questions raised on leaders and officers through HC’s comment

Sidhu has made this demand many times, but CM Channi’s government is insisting on lobbying the case in the High Court. – file photo

Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Sidhu has again surrounded the Channi government. Sidhu asked to take action by making the Special Task Force (STF) report public in the drugs case. Not only this, Sidhu also raised questions on the leaders and officers of Punjab on the basis of the High Court’s remarks.

Sidhu quoted National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data and said that Punjab has remained at the top position in the crime rate of NDPS for the last five consecutive years. Sidhu said that in 2017 there was a promise that he would break the back of drugs in 4 weeks but the NCRB figures are telling the truth.

We are accused of carrying forward the legacy of the Akalis.

Sidhu said that allegations were being made against us that the Congress is also carrying forward the legacy of the Akalis by taking action against drugs. Sidhu referred to Punjab and Haryana High Court’s observation in 2021 that drug suppliers in Punjab are evading punishment under political patronage; only small carriers are being caught.

HC also said, deliberately protecting drug smugglers

Sidhu further said that the recovery of 1200 lakh Tremadol tablets had transferred the investigation to the CBI. In which the HC said that the officers of the Punjab government are deliberately protecting the criminals associated with the drug.

HC gave copy of STF report for action, we sat in it

Sidhu said the HC gave a copy of the STF to the Punjab government. But instead of taking action on it, our government is sitting on it since February 2018. Even we failed to extradite other accused in the multi-crore drug case. The solution is to catch the big fish and punish them.

The government has all the rights to make the report public and take action.

Sidhu said that according to the law, the government has all the powers to take further action on the basis of the STF report. Therefore, this report should be made public immediately. In this case an FIR should be registered on the basis of the report. Apart from this, time bound investigation should be done to nab the big smugglers, who are responsible for narco terrorism in Punjab.