In a significant post-election development, the Khanna police have formally booked Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Halqa incharge for Khanna, Yadvinder Singh Yadu, accusing him of obstructing official duties during the counting of votes. The incident has sparked a major political controversy, with the SAD leader alleging high-handedness by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government.
Court Sends SAD Leader to Judicial Custody
Yadvinder Singh Yadu was produced before a local court on Thursday, which subsequently ordered his remand to judicial custody. This legal action followed his detention from the counting centre on Wednesday evening. Speaking to media persons outside the court, Yadu launched a sharp attack on the AAP government, claiming it had panicked after sensing defeat during the counting process.
He asserted that the results were abruptly stopped at a point when the SAD was winning, and he was forcibly detained. Yadu vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating he was standing approximately 50 metres away from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and did not misbehave or obstruct any official work. He termed the police action as sheer high-handedness and warned that the people would give a fitting response in the 2027 elections.
Protests and Police Lathi-Charge on GT Road
The detention of the senior SAD leader triggered immediate protests from party workers. Soon after Yadu was taken from the counting centre, SAD leaders and supporters blocked the Grand Trunk (GT) Road, leading to a major disruption. In response, the police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd and detained several protesters.
Following these events, the Khanna city-II police station registered a formal case against Yadu and his supporters. The charges include sections related to the obstruction of public servants from discharging their duty, among other offences. All the accused named in the First Information Report (FIR) were subsequently arrested.
Viral Video and Political Backing
The controversy gained further traction online after a video of Yadu being escorted away from the Khanna counting centre went viral on social media platforms. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal shared the video, amplifying the party's claim of unjust treatment. The visual evidence has become a central point in the political debate surrounding the incident, with the SAD using it to rally support and criticise the state administration's conduct during the election process.
The case highlights the tense political atmosphere in Punjab following the elections and sets the stage for continued confrontation between the opposition SAD and the ruling AAP government. The allegations of interference in the counting process and the subsequent police action are likely to remain a key political issue in the region.
