Mohali, April 14: — A day after Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa was booked for allegedly spreading false information that could endanger national unity, a Mohali court on Monday directed the cyber crime police to provide him with a copy of the FIR and upload it online.
Bajwa faces non-bailable charges under Sections 197(1)(d) and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deal with making statements that threaten the sovereignty of the country or incite hatred. The FIR was registered Sunday night at the cyber crime police station in Phase-7, Mohali, hours after Bajwa claimed in a television interview that 50 bombs had entered Punjab—18 of which he said had already exploded.
Punjab Police summoned Bajwa to appear at the station by noon Monday, but through his counsel APS Deol and HS Dhanoa, the Congress leader sought an extension until 2 p.m. Tuesday. The court accepted the request and instructed the police to furnish a hard copy of the FIR to Bajwa’s legal team.
“My client was not at his residence when the notice was served and was unaware of the FIR’s contents,” his counsel told the court. Following the directive, police handed over the FIR copy to Bajwa’s representatives.
The development follows heightened political tension after Bajwa’s remarks aired on television. “I have come to know that 50 bombs have reached Punjab. Of these, 18 have exploded and 32 are yet to go off,” he said during the broadcast. The statement triggered immediate police action and a strong response from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who questioned the Congress leader’s intentions and demanded that he reveal the source of the information.
“What is the source of your information? Are you waiting for the bombs to explode and people to die?” Mann asked during a press interaction. “If this statement was made only to spread panic, it is a serious crime. Strict action will follow.”
A two-member team led by AIG Ravjot Kaur Grewal and SP (City) Harbir Atwal visited Bajwa’s residence on Sunday to question him. Speaking to reporters outside, Grewal noted, “Bajwa did not disclose any source or origin of this information. So far, he has not provided any input that could help our investigation.”
Bajwa, however, insisted that he had cooperated fully with the police team and refused to disclose his sources. “I told officers that I am willing to assist you but I cannot reveal my sources,” he said.
Addressing reporters, he added, “These are my own sources. I have remained an MLA and MP. My sources are in Punjab, in intelligence departments and central agencies. They informed me two days ago that the situation in Punjab is becoming sensitive and I could be a target.”
The Congress leader pointed to his personal history, saying he had survived a bomb attack in Batala in 1990 and that his family had been victims of militancy. “Neither my party is in power in the state nor at the Centre. That makes me vulnerable,” he said.
Later, in a written statement, Bajwa reiterated his position: “As the Leader of Opposition, I hold a constitutional role and receive sensitive information. I will not be intimidated. While I stand by my statement, I will not disclose my sources. My duty is to the people of Punjab and the Constitution—not the whims of a vindictive government.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mann urged the Congress party to clarify its position on Bajwa’s claim. “Is the Congress hand-in-glove with anti-national forces? Does it know how many bombs have reached Punjab and where they have exploded?” Mann asked. “National leaders of the Congress and Bajwa both owe an explanation to the people.”
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