The investigation into the controversial Patiala police 'conference call' audio clip has intensified, with a Special Investigation Team (SIT) summoning the original complainant to record his statement. This development marks a crucial phase in the high-stakes probe ordered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which is itself examining the matter amidst a major political storm.
SIT Springs Into Action, Summons Complainant
The SIT, led by ADGP (Law and Order) S P S Parmar, has formally called advocate Arshdeep Singh Kler to appear before it. Kler, who is the chief spokesperson of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and president of its legal cell, has been asked to present himself at the Punjab Police Headquarters in Sector 9, Chandigarh, at 11 am on Sunday, December 7. The summons was issued under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
In an official notice, the SIT stated that Kler's oral and documentary evidence was essential for the ongoing inquiry. The team has already begun its work, recording statements and gathering electronic, documentary, and digital evidence related to the case.
Arshdeep Singh Kler confirmed receiving the summons and stated he would comply. "I will definitely appear at the police headquarters at the given time and record my statement," he said, expressing hope that the truth would emerge and strict action would follow against the guilty.
The Audio Clip That Sparked a Political Firestorm
The controversy erupted just ahead of the December 14 zila parishad and block samiti elections. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal shared an alleged recording of a late-night conference call. The audio purportedly featured Patiala SSP Varun Sharma and other officers discussing plans to stop opposition candidates, particularly those from the SAD, from reaching nomination centers.
The Shiromani Akali Dal has labeled the clip as concrete proof of a pre-planned attempt to "murder democracy" by sabotaging the nomination process. The party submitted a formal complaint to the State Election Commission, demanding action and a separate investigation into the senior police officers named in the clip.
In a stark contrast, the Punjab Police have dismissed the audio as "fake and AI-generated," circulated with malicious intent. Following this claim, the police registered an FIR at the Patiala cybercrime police station against unknown persons under the Information Technology Act.
High Court Scrutiny and Demands for Central Forces
The legal battle has reached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where the alleged audio recording has been formally taken on record. The court is currently examining petitions that seek multiple interventions:
- An independent probe into the audio clip.
- Deployment of central forces to ensure security during the rural body polls.
- Directions to guarantee free and fair elections for the zila parishad and panchayat samitis.
The court's involvement adds a significant layer of judicial oversight to the case, which intertwines allegations of electoral malpractice with questions about the authenticity of digital evidence.
Leading the SIT is ADGP S.P.S. Parmar, an officer entrusted with the law and order charge in Punjab and known for having led sensitive investigations in the state in the past. His team's findings are likely to have substantial political and legal repercussions as Punjab navigates this charged electoral environment.
