SAD moves High Court, seeks FIR, suspension of Patiala SSP
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, December 4, 2025: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday petitioned the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking registration of an FIR and immediate suspension of Patiala SSP Varun Sharma following a viral conference call in which he allegedly directed police officers to prevent SAD candidates from filing nomination papers for the Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections.
The petition comes a day after SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal publicly released the full audio recording, claiming it exposed explicit instructions from the SSP to obstruct opposition candidates—particularly those from the SAD—from reaching Returning Officers’ offices to submit their nominations. Badal said the conversation showed a “planned and premeditated” attempt to snatch the democratic rights of citizens to benefit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Badal also alleged that similar directives had been issued across Punjab at the behest of the AAP government. He urged the intervention of the Election Commission and simultaneously approached the High Court. The court has issued notices to the State government and the State Election Commission for Monday.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), filed by former legislator Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, seeks urgent judicial safeguards to ensure free and fair elections to the Block Samitis and Zila Parishads. The petition claims that SSP Varun Sharma orchestrated a criminal conspiracy through the viral call—allegedly involving intimidation, wrongful restraint, and snatching of nomination papers—to block opposition candidates.
According to submissions by SAD legal cell head Arshdeep Kler, the audio excerpts reveal directions to detain opposition candidates at their homes or en route to the offices of the Block Development Officer or SDM, reportedly under instructions from AAP legislators. The petition further alleges efforts to ensure Returning Officers rejected nomination entries, paving the way for uncontested victories.
Terming the SSP’s conduct as creating “a private militia” and disturbing the peace, the petition demands deployment of the Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF) or independent observers in Patiala until the elections and counting process conclude.