Punjab Police Files Case Against Bajwa for 'False Bomb Threat' Statement

Hours after he was questioned about his "50 bombs have reached Punjab" assertions, the Punjab Police on Sunday registered a case against Leader of Opposition in state assembly Partap Singh Bajwa on multiple charges including giving false information which jeopardizes country's sovereignty and integrity.

The case has been registered at Cyber Crime police station in Mohali, sources said. The FIR was filed against Bajwa under Sections 197(1)(d) (false and misleading information that endangers country’s sovereignty and unity) and 353(2) (false statements intend to create enmity and hatred or ill will) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, they sources.

Earlier during the day, two members of Punjab Police had gone to the house of Bajwa and interrogated him regarding his assertions even as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has asked the Congress leader to break his news source, wondering whether he "had direct connections with Pakistan.".

Bajwa averred that he assisted the police team that called at his home here but did not spill the beans regarding his sources since he criticized the AAP government regarding the "deteriorating" law and order situation in the state.

Mann criticized Bajwa earlier for his assertions that Punjab Police Intelligence and a Central intelligence agency had never communicated to him such intelligence.

The chief minister added that strict action would be initiated if Bajwa's statement was intended solely to "create panic".

While speaking to a private television channel, Bajwa had claimed, "I have come to know that 50 bombs have reached Punjab. Out of the fifty, 18 exploded, 32 are still to detonate." A group of Punjab Police officers including Assistant Inspector General of Police Ravjot Kaur Grewal and Mohali Superintendent of Police (City) Harbir Atwal on Sunday met Bajwa at his home and asked him the origin of the statement.

AIG Grewal, talking to journalists in front of Bajwa's house, added that the police team went there to learn where Bajwa got his information as it was a national security issue.

"Bajwa never revealed any source or point of origin of this information… Up until now, he has not provided any input helpful to us," she stated.