Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa on Wednesday shot off a two-page letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking inquiry either by the central probe agency or a sitting Supreme Court judge in the multi-crore drug racket in the State.
Bajwa, through his letter, has sought Modi’s “personal intervention” in the issue of “utmost public importance” that cannot be looked through the political prism as it concerns the very future of Punjab which all along had the distinction of being sword arm and the food bowl of the country.
Bajwa told Modi that the situation in Punjab is challenging “which require handling at your level as you have time and again committee yourself to bring a change at every level”.
Reminding Modi about his promise made to the people of Punjab before lok Sabha polls to eradicate drug trafficking and eradicate mafia rule in the State, Bajwa said: “Your party had issued advertisements in papers making this promise to the beleaguered people,” he pointed.
“The name of Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia has figured in the investigation in drug smuggling. The accused arrested so far have revealed his name and their association with him. As reported, the Enforcement Directorate has already prepared an elaborate questionnaire, but it seems to be dithering due to alleged involvement of such a high profile minister whose sister happens to be your cabinet colleague,” read the letter.
He said, “Modi so poignantly pointed out during a pre-election rally in Punjab that drug mafia, particularly in Punjab, is destroying the country’s youth for the sake of money and the politically well-connected families misusing their authority to place themselves and their kin above the law.
“The fact that Majithia is apparently beyond the purview of justice as well as the brother of Cabinet Minister Harsimrat Badal and the brother-in-law of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal proves that your words were true, if not exactly well directed,” Bajwa said.
He also pointed that Union Finance Minister is “fully conversant of the ground situation” as the ED is investigating the matter, which comes under the Union Finance Ministry.
“I write to remind you of the solemn promise you made to the people of Punjab not more than six months ago to eradicate drug trafficking and demand that you acknowledge your promise and order CBI probe or constitute a judicial enquiry headed by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court to examine all allegations,” Bajwa demanded in the letter.
Stating that Modi is “custodian of the law of land” as the prime Minister, Bajwa said, “The people of Punjab expect from you that the guilty would finally be brought to book, no matter how well connected or politically powerful the person might be.”
Bajwa said that Congress’ only concern is that the “law must be allowed to take its own course” for which his personal attention is required in this “sensitive matter”.