Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Thursday dismissed as a “pack of lies” the allegations that the Bhagwant Mann Government had signed any file related to the premature release of convicts in the Jaswant Singh Khalra murder case. Presenting a detailed factual chronology, the AAP Punjab Media In-charge said the proposal for premature release was first sent during the Congress government, while the Bhagwant Mann Government has signed no such file.
He pointed out that since the case was investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the entire process falls under the jurisdiction of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and no proposal is pending either with the Punjab Government or the Governor. Baltej Pannu further said Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra’s, the wife of late Jaswant Singh Khalra, recent statement has exposed how the Akali Dal failed to fulfil its promise of securing justice for Jaswant Singh Khalra, and accused political opponents of spreading false propaganda to divert public attention from the truth.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “A few days ago, the film Sutlej was released. Within a few hours, it was removed from the OTT platform. Whatever has happened since then has been very interesting to watch. The entire incident pertains to a period when the Congress was in power and its real face was being exposed. Yet, within 48 hours, the BJP-led Central Government got the film removed from the OTT platform.”
He added, “After the film was removed, it started reaching people through different groups and social media platforms. Along with the film, another important thing started spreading rapidly, and that was the statement of Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra. Her statement has now reached people across social media and various channels.”
Baltej Pannu noted, “Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra stated that in 1996 they supported the Shiromani Akali Dal led by Parkash Singh Badal because they believed that once the Akali Dal formed the government, it would sincerely help in finding Jaswant Singh Khalra and ensuring justice. She revealed that promises had been made to constitute a ‘Truth Commission’ and bring the guilty officers to justice. However, after the government was formed in 1997, instead of prosecuting those responsible, many of those officers were rewarded with higher positions.”
He further said, “Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra also disclosed that she personally met Parkash Singh Badal after he became Chief Minister and urged him to fulfil the promise of tracing Jaswant Singh Khalra and bringing justice. According to her, she was told to ask for any chairmanship she wanted and raise her children instead of pursuing the issue. This statement is extremely significant because it exposes what actually happened after the promises made in 1996.”
Baltej Pannu asserted, “Today, three political parties stand exposed. During the Congress government, these incidents took place. The BJP government at the Centre removed the film from the OTT platform. Now, the Akali Dal has also come under serious scrutiny because Jaswant Singh Khalra himself was associated with the Akali Dal’s Human Rights Wing. Despite this, no meaningful support was extended to his family after the party came to power.”