Punjab’s Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa was on Sunday booked by the Mohali cybercrime police under Sections 197(1)(D) and 353(2) of the BNS for allegedly spreading misinformation that could compromise national security and unity. The Congress leader subsequently went incommunicado.
The case originated from Bajwa’s explosive claim during a TV interview that 50 bombs/hand grenades had been smuggled into Punjab, with 18 already used in terror activities. Even before the full interview aired, promotional excerpts triggered swift action from Punjab Intelligence officials who visited Bajwa’s residence for questioning.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann challenged Bajwa to reveal his sources, questioning why he had not shared the information with the Punjab Police.
In a social media post, Mann said, “Does Bajwa have contacts in Pakistan from where terrorists are directly calling him and telling him how many bombs they have sent? His friends across the Border must have apprised him of the plans to disturb peace in Punjab.”
He said neither state nor central Intelligence agencies had any such information, making Bajwa’s claims particularly suspicious. A counter Intelligence team of the state police questioned Bajwa about the source of information, which the latter reportedly declined to share.
In his defence, Bajwa accused Mann of political witch-hunting. He asserted his constitutional right as Leader of Opposition to receive sensitive information from credible sources. “The CM can’t silence me. He has failed as Home Minister… I have sources in the central and state Intelligence agencies, who share information with me. They also advise me to remain alert as I could be targeted,” he said, pointing to recent security failures, including a grenade attack at BJP leader Manorajan Kalia’s residence in Jalandhar, as evidence of deteriorating law and order under AAP’s watch. PPCC chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring rallied behind Bajwa, lending him political support.
The AAP leadership intensified its offensive, with Mann further alleging, “Was he waiting for the bombs to explode and people to die or does he want to spread terror in Punjab? Bajwa will have to reveal his sources. If his aim is to spread terror, the Congress should expel him.”
State AAP president Aman Arora said Bajwa would bear the responsibility for any future attacks using the “remaining 32 bombs” he mentioned. He also referred to an 11-year-old letter reportedly written by former CM Captain Amarinder Singh to Sonia Gandhi, resurrecting old allegations about Bajwa’s alleged links with smugglers and terrorist elements.
