Political Storm in Punjab as SAD Leader's Daughter Arrested
In a development that has sparked political controversy in Punjab, Kanchanpreet Kaur, the daughter of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate for the Tarn Taran byelection Sukhwinder Kaur, was arrested by the Tarn Taran police on Friday. The arrest occurred under contentious circumstances that have drawn sharp reactions from opposition parties.
The Arrest and Police Station Drama
According to senior Akali Dal leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, who accompanied Kanchanpreet to the police station, the young woman had arrived at Majitha police station voluntarily to join investigations in a case where she had already been granted bail by the court. "She remained inside the police station for about five hours," Valtoha claimed, detailing the sequence of events.
During what was supposed to be a routine procedural matter, the police asked them to complete witness formalities, which they complied with. However, in a surprising turn, authorities informed them that Kanchanpreet had been named in an FIR registered at Jhabal police station in Tarn Taran on November 18 against unknown persons. She was subsequently arrested in connection with that case and taken away by Tarn Taran police.
Multiple Cases and Political Allegations
Valtoha revealed that the police had registered four separate cases against Kanchanpreet under different clauses at multiple police stations including Tarn Taran City police station, Sarai Amant Khan police station, and Majitha police station. Despite the court granting her interim bail and directing her to cooperate with investigations, the fresh arrest has raised eyebrows.
Speaking to media representatives outside the police station, Valtoha didn't mince words in accusing the current government of political targeting. "In Punjab's tradition, even the daughters-in-law and daughters of opponents were respected. However, for the first time, cases are being filed allegedly under a political agenda to prevent a young woman from progressing," the Akali leader stated emotionally.
Faith in Judiciary and Political Backlash
Before entering the police station, Kanchanpreet displayed remarkable composure, telling reporters that she had full faith in the court system. Earlier that day, she had also released a video message reiterating her intention to visit Majitha police station and expressing confidence in the judiciary.
The political reaction was swift and severe. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal accused the AAP government of being "rattled by the party's performance in Tarn Taran bypoll" and arresting Kanchanpreet in what he termed a "fabricated" case. He asserted that the timing of the arrest, ahead of zila parishad and block samiti elections, was designed to create terror among opposition supporters.
"Following the court orders and having secured bail in all previous cases, Kanchanpreet, as a law-abiding citizen, had gone to join the investigation today. We will fight this police atrocity with all our might," Badal declared, warning that officers involved in what he called illegal actions would face legal consequences.
Social Media Outcry and Constitutional Concerns
Party spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema took to social media platform X to express the party's outrage, posting that "SAD strongly condemns the illegal and malicious arrest of Kanchanpreet Kaur by Tarn Taran police." He accused the ruling AAP government of crossing every limit of vendetta politics.
Cheema emphasized that it was judicial record that she had already secured bail from competent courts in all earlier what he described as false FIRs. He criticized the police for arbitrarily adding another non-bailable offence instead of cooperating with due process, alleging violations of constitutional safeguards.
The spokesperson also raised serious concerns about the government's disregard for the Model Code of Conduct and Section 28A of the Representation of People Act, noting that the Election Commission of India had already taken cognizance of illegal arrests of Akali leaders, including Kanchanpreet Kaur, and ordered strict action against several Tarn Taran police officials, including the SSP.
"By targeting a young woman leader with fabricated charges, this government has shown that it has no respect for the daughters of Punjab or for the rule of law," Cheema concluded in his strongly-worded statement.
A senior police officer who preferred to remain anonymous confirmed Kanchanpreet's arrest to media, though without providing additional details about the specific charges or circumstances surrounding the November 18 FIR that led to her detention.
