A major political controversy has engulfed Punjab ahead of the December 14 zila parishad and block samiti elections. The storm erupted after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal released an approximately 18-minute audio clip on Thursday. The SAD alleges the recording captures senior police officers, including Patiala SSP Varun Sharma, conspiring to prevent party members from filing their nomination papers.
Allegations of a Political Conspiracy and Legal Battle
The SAD has taken the matter to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) through former MLA Daljit Singh Cheema. The party is demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged conspiracy. In its petition, the SAD has specifically sought the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against SSP Varun Sharma, whose voice they claim is identifiable in the clip.
The PIL argues that the purported actions aim to engineer uncontested victories for candidates of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). It calls for the immediate suspension and transfer of SSP Sharma and requests the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Patiala district to ensure a free and fair election process.
When the PIL was heard by a division bench led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, the Punjab government's counsel questioned its maintainability, labeling it a "political interest litigation." The court has adjourned the hearing to Monday, directing the state government to file its response by then.
Police Dismissal and Counter-FIR
The Punjab Police has vehemently denied the allegations, declaring the viral clip as "fake and AI-generated." SSP Varun Sharma stated that the audio was being circulated on social media with a "malicious intent to mislead the public, spread disinformation, and disturb law and order." He assured that stringent legal action would be taken against those responsible.
In a counter-move, the police have registered an FIR against unknown persons at the Patiala cyber cell police station. SSP Sharma emphasized that the force was committed to ensuring impartial elections, noting that over 800 nominations had already been filed in Patiala to date.
Appeal to Election Commission and Constitutional Concerns
Parallel to the court action, the SAD has submitted a formal complaint to the Punjab State Election Commission (SEC). The party's legal wing president, Arshdeep Singh Kler, in the representation, described the incident as an "institutional coup against democracy at the district level."
The SAD has urged the SEC to suspend SSP Sharma and other officers allegedly involved and to order an investigation by a central agency like the CBI or NIA. The party's petition in the high court raises serious constitutional concerns, alleging violations of:
- The Model Code of Conduct, in force since November 28.
- Fundamental rights under Articles 14 (equality), 19 (freedoms), and 21 (life and liberty) of the Constitution.
- Provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to criminal conspiracy and intimidation.
- Sections of the Representation of the People Act concerning electoral offences.
The petition warns that compromising police neutrality in a sensitive border state like Punjab could have severe implications for internal security and democratic stability. With the high court set to hear the matter next week, the political temperature in Punjab is set to rise further as the election date approaches.
