SAD, Congress claim Punjab govt withdrew Chadha’s security; police don’t confirm

Chandigarh: Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders on Wednesday claimed that the Punjab govt has withdrawn the Z-plus security cover of AAP MP Raghav Chadha, even as Punjab Police officials refrained from confirming the development.The claim came days after AAP replaced removed Chadha as its deputy leader in Rajya Sabha and appointed party MP Ashok Mittal as his replacement. Opposition leaders termed the alleged withdrawal a "misuse of state machinery". Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav did not respond to a phone call and a text message on the matter. When contacted, ADGP (internal security) Shive Kumar Verma, who is also officiating as ADGP (security), said he did not have "authority to comment anything". Punjab intelligence chief Inspector General (IG) Sukhchain Singh Gill, who is also the spokesperson of Punjab Police, said, "I am not aware of it. Security officials can tell about this."Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa termed the alleged withdrawal of Chadha's security cover by state govt as a "disturbing misuse of state machinery", asserting that security decisions must be based on intelligence inputs and not political considerations. He said the govt must clarify the basis on which such a decision was taken.Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira questioned both the grant and withdrawal of Z-plus security to Chadha, asking whether any proper threat assessment was conducted. He alleged that the system of security allocation was "flawed and politically influenced" and demanded a white paper. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia also criticised the move, alleging that security decisions in Punjab were being driven by "political allegiance" rather than threat perception. Congress MLA Pargat Singh described the controversy, along with ED action against Mittal, as "staged drama" between the AAP govt and the Centre, alleging diversion from key issues such as farmers' distress.BOXQuotesSecurity is not a privilege… it must be governed by intelligence inputs, not political convenience Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa | Cong MP from GurdaspurSecurity in Punjab now depends on political allegiance, not threat perceptionBikram Singh Majithia | SAD functionary