Punjab CM Amarinder Singh demands free hand for Chandigarh police in stalking case

CHANDIGARH:

Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh

on Tuesday demanded that the Chandigarh police be given a free hand to probe the

Varnika Kundu stalking case

, with no attempt to pressurise them in any way.

Amarinder, in response to a question, dismissed the demand for the resignation of

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh

on moral grounds over the stalking case as absurd. How can Rajnath be held responsible for the incident, or for that matter for any such irresponsible behaviour involving individuals or party leaders or their kin in any part of the country, be it even Punjab, he asked.

Talking to media persons outside

Parliament House

in Delhi before meeting the Prime Minister on the farm debt waiver issue, the Chief Minister said the police should be allowed to investigate the high-profile case freely and independently.

No attempt should be made to dilute the charges against the accused, one of whom is the son of the Haryana BJP president, said Captain Amarinder, adding that no political interference should be brooked in the case and the police should have complete authority to probe the matter in a neutral manner, as per the due process of law.

However, action needs to be taken against the accused to ensure justice for the girl and also to send out a strong signal that misuse of political powers to undermine any institution, including the police, was not acceptable, said Captain Amarinder, while reiterating his unequivocal and strong condemnation of the incident.

He also urged Chandigarh MP Kiron Kher, whom he met briefly outside Parliament that the culprits in the stalking case should be dealt with strictly, as per the law.