The Punjab Police will summon AAP MLA Naresh Yadav for questioning in connection with the alleged sacrilege incident in Malerkotla on June 24 after one of the accused claimed that he had acted at the behest of the legislator.
Refuting the allegations, Yadav, who is MLA from Mehrauli, and the Aam Aadmi Party alleged that it was a conspiracy to malign the party’s image ahead of the Assembly polls in Punjab where it is stepping up campaign with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal embarking on a three-day visit on Sunday.
“We will summon AAP MLA Naresh Yadav in order to question him regarding the Malerkotla incident,” Sangrur SSP Prithpal Singh Thind said.
He said the MLA’s name has appeared while questioning the accused who had been arrested for their alleged role in the sacrilege of a religious book in Malerkotla.
“During our investigation and questioning of the accused, it was revealed that the accused had met him (AAP MLA). Calls were also exchanged between the accused and the AAP MLA,” claimed Thind.
Asked whether the police suspected Mehrauli MLA as the mastermind behind the sacrilege incident, the SSP said it will be known after questioning Yadav.
The Sangrur police had arrested three men — Vijay Kumar, Nand Kishor Goldy and Gaurav — on June 27 in connection with the Malerkotla case.
Delhi-based Vijay, an accused in the case, had on Saturday claimed in Patiala that he “did at the behest” of Yadav.
Vijay was yesterday taken to Rajindra Medical college and hospital by police for check-up.
Violence had erupted after the alleged sacrilege incident which had taken place in Malerkotla on June 24 in which a mob had even attacked the house of local Akali Dal MLA Farzana Nissara Khatoon, wife of former Punjab DGP.
Several policemen, including a DSP, were injured as about 300 to 400 protesters had thrown stones and torched a car.
“This is false charge. When everyone across the country -- Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians -- are supporting us and when we are winning elections, why will I do it? I have no involvement in the case. If there is any proof, then hang me. This is a conspiracy and I have nothing to do with the matter. The whole country knows that only one party can do this,” Yadav said, hitting out at the BJP.
The AAP also lashed out at the ruling SAD-BJP alliance over the issue. Its leader Ashutosh said it reflects the BJP’s desperation as his party is “sweeping” the polls scheduled to be held early next year.
“Now the ruling Akalis do not have any issue with them for contesting polls and they know that they are losing their ground. Therefore they have resorted to these things which are highly condemnable. It is a political conspiracy to defame AAP ahead of elections. We knew that the ruling party will indulge in such cheap moves,” AAP’s Punjab convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur said.
Mr Kejriwal will be in Amritsar on Sunday as part of his three-day visit to Punjab. He will release the party’s youth manifesto, besides meeting different sections of the society at Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Jalandhar and Khanna. - PTI
