Patiala SSP Varun Sharma viral audio: HC issues notices to Punjab Govt, SEC on SAD plea seeking FIR, CBI probe

PTC Web Desk: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court demanding the registration of an FIR and a CBI investigation against Patiala SSP Varun Sharma after an alleged conference call surfaced online, in which he purportedly instructed district police officials to prevent opposition candidates from filing nomination papers for Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections.

The petition was submitted shortly after SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal made the audio recording public earlier in the day. According to the party, the SSP is heard directing officials to stop Akali Dal candidates before they could reach the Returning Officers’ offices.

Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged that the SSP’s actions were part of a planned attempt to benefit the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) by using unconstitutional means to deprive citizens of their democratic right to vote.

He further claimed that similar instructions had been issued across the state at the behest of the AAP government, and urged the Election Commission to intervene.

Taking cognisance of the petition, the High Court issued notices to the Punjab Government and the State Election Commission, seeking their response by Monday.

The petition, filed as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by senior SAD leader Dr  Daljit Singh Cheema and moved by SAD legal cell head Arshdeep Singh Kaler, seeks judicial directions to ensure free and fair elections.

It alleges that SSP Varun Sharma conspired to intimidate and obstruct opposition candidates by detaining them, blocking their access to BDO and SDM offices and allegedly ensuring rejection of their nomination papers.

The plea further accuses the SSP of creating a “private militia” to disturb peace and demands the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF) or neutral observers to ensure fair polling and vote counting in Patiala district.