SIT Interrogates Sampla for Three Hours
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Behbal Kalan firing case questioned former MP and BJP leader Vijay Sampla for nearly three hours on Tuesday. The interrogation was conducted by DIG Harjit Singh in Chandigarh. No official statement was released by the police regarding the specifics of the questioning.
Memorandum Verification at Core of Questioning
Speaking to reporters after the session, Sampla stated that the SIT sought to verify his signatures on a memorandum submitted to the Punjab Governor on January 12, 2018. The memorandum was reportedly submitted by a joint delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP. However, Sampla expressed inability to confirm his signature or the document's contents, as the SIT did not provide him with a certified copy of the memorandum.
Fourth Summons and Previous Appearances
This marked the fourth summons issued to Sampla in connection with the case. He recalled appearing before the SIT in Jalandhar earlier, where he had similarly requested certified copies of documents on which his comments were sought. He reiterated his demand for certified copies to ensure the authenticity of the documents presented.
Sampla Raises Concerns Over Document Authenticity
Sampla alleged that despite spending three hours before the SIT on Tuesday, he was only shown the memorandum and denied a certified copy, despite repeated requests from him and his legal team. He pointed out, “I even pointed out that in today’s age of artificial intelligence and digital technology, documents can easily be manipulated. Therefore, only a certified copy can be relied upon. Despite this reasonable request, the SIT refused to provide one.”
