SAD complains to ECI on fake FIRs and arrest of Akali workers in Tarn Taran, demands Independent inquiry
Strict action against AAP government and guilty officers must to restore public confidence in ECI: Dr. Cheema
Babushahi Network Bureau
Chandigarh, November 17: Shiromani Akali Dal has filed a complaint to Election Commission of India (ECI) on fake FIRs registered against Akali workers and their arrest under political vendetta in Tarn Taran constituency.
In a written complaint filed with ECI, Senior Vice President and Former Education Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that the AAP-led Punjab Government misused government machinery during the 21-Tarn Taran by-election. Shiromani Akali Dal submitted multiple written complaints to the Election Commission and its Observers regarding these violations.
He said that Shiromani Akali Dal was thankful to the Election Commission of India (ECI) for transferring two DSPs, one SHO, and suspending the SSP of Tarn Taran district. He said that despite these actions by the Commission, the State Government continued to harass SAD workers. Sarpanches, MCs, Ex-MCs, and traders were openly threatened to support the ruling party candidate S. Harmeet Singh Sandhu or face consequences.
He said that on polling day, several SAD leaders were taken to police stations, and raids were conducted at the homes of many others, resulting in humiliation for their families. These incidents were verbally reported to the SSP, the RO, and the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab.
He said that after the transfer and suspension of senior police officials by the ECI, the ruling party treated it as a challenge and began targeting SAD leaders who refused to succumb to pressure. He further informed that after the declaration of results, false FIRs were registered against SAD leaders, and several arrests were made. One such FIR (No. 0261 dated 15.11.2025) was filed at Police Station City, Tarn Taran under multiple BNS sections.
Dr. Cheema said that SAD had earlier filed a written complaint on 06.11.2025 with supporting evidence against police officers who suspiciously trailed the candidate’s daughter in a private car with a fake number plate. Instead of acting on the complaint, the police retaliated by implicating the complainants themselves in the FIR and arresting leaders such as Nachattar Singh.
He said that FIR No. 0261 was registered on 15.11.2025, even though the official date for the completion of the election process for the 21-Tarn Taran constituency was 16.11.2025. Therefore, the Model Code of Conduct was still in force when this violation occurred.
He urged ECI to order an independent inquiry by an Election Observer into all FIRs registered immediately after the results. Failure to take strict action will undermine public faith in the ECI and set a dangerous precedent.
SAD leader said that through these unlawful actions, the State Government aims to intimidate the public and create the impression that the authority of the ECI ends after polling is over. He said that SAD reiterates that its genuine complaint regarding the suspicious vehicle was ignored until the election concluded, after which the complainants themselves were framed as accused which is a complete mockery of the legal system.
Dr Cheema said that the party demands a high-level independent inquiry into all FIRs and strict action against the State Government, the Aam Aadmi Party, and all responsible officers to restore public confidence in the authority of the Election Commission of India. EOM