Here’s how the dramatic confrontation took place between the police of three states …
Punjab Police arrested Bagga from Delhi
The play started on Friday morning at around 8.30 am when a team Punjab Police The officers (some claim there were more than 50 cops) arrived at Bagga’s Janakpuri residence in the national capital and arrested him in connection with an FIR lodged on April 1.
Bagga’s father Preetpal Singh claimed that a group of 10-15 Punjab Police personnel barged into his house, punched him in the face and took away his son without wearing a turban.
Recalling the early morning incidents, he said the family, including Bagga, had had breakfast when two Punjab Police personnel entered their west Delhi residence. Both the policemen had gone to meet the family earlier as well.
“We offered him tea… A few minutes later, 10-15 Punjab Police personnel came in. They dragged Tajinder outside and did not allow him to cover his head.
“When I tried to video the incident, my mobile phone was snatched and I was punched in the face and I was forced to sit down,” Bagga’s elderly father told reporters. Soon after, the convoy of vehicles with Bagga was on its way from Delhi towards Mohali in Punjab.
As the police team pulled out the 36-year-old leader, the Delhi BJP unit erupted with anger and slammed the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab for misusing the state police to crush its opponents. Notably, Bagga has been a vocal critic of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal.
Delhi Police Retaliation
After the arrest, Bagga’s father lodged an FIR with Delhi BJP President Adesh Gupta at Janakpuri police station.
Separately, Delhi BJP workers also staged a sit-in outside the police station in Delhi and raised slogans against the Punjab Police.
Based on the complaint, Delhi PoliceWhich comes under the Union Home Ministry, registered a case of kidnapping against the Punjab Police.
Delhi Police said it was acting on a complaint by Bagga’s father that “some people” entered his house and beat up his son. He added that even the local police were not informed in advance about the arrest.
Haryana Police came forward to help Delhi Police!
After registration of FIR Haryana Police The force also joined the drama.
On the way to Mohali, the Punjab Police team was stopped by the Haryana Police in Kurukshetra. The local police took the Punjab officials to Pipli.
Asked why the Punjab Police team was stopped, a Haryana Police official said there was information that Bagga was “forcefully” picked up from his residence.
There are also reports of some BJP workers reaching Pipli police station to protest against Bagga’s arrest.
The Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohali, termed the action of Haryana Police as “illegal detention”.
The Punjab government on its part moved the High Court against the “detention” of its police team in Kurukshetra, Haryana.
Bagga was later handed over to a team of Delhi Police officials, who took him back to the national capital.
Political issues do not come to the fore like this. But Punjab Police is compelled to take a political figure like this…t… https://t.co/5SxssVhCza
— ANI (@ANI) 1651842893000
Defending the action of Haryana Police, state Chief Minister Manohar Khattar said that the Punjab Police did not follow due process while arresting Bagga. He said that if Bagga was arrested for the speech given by him, then the Election Commission should first look into the issue and only then the police can look into it.
Why was Bagga booked?
Last month, the Punjab Police registered a case against the Delhi BJP spokesperson for making provocative statements, promoting enmity and making criminal intimidation. A case has been registered on the complaint of Mohali resident AAP leader Sunny Ahluwalia.
The FIR, registered on April 1, refers to Bagga’s remarks on March 30, when he was part of a protest by the BJP youth wing outside Chief Minister Kejriwal’s residence in Delhi.
The FIR against Bagga was registered under relevant IPC sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place etc.), 505 (Whoever makes statement, rumor or report). is, publishes or transmits) and 506 (criminal intimidation).
The Punjab Police said they had sent five notices to Bagga to join the investigation, but he “deliberately” decided not to do so.
Mohali SSP Vivek Sheel Soni said Bagga’s arrest was in accordance with law and described Haryana Police’s action to detain Punjab Police as “illegal detention and interference with the administration of the criminal justice system”.
Separately, the Punjab government moved the High Court against its team’s “detention” in Kurukshetra and the subsequent developments.
(with inputs from agencies)
watch Tajinder Bagga’s arrest sparks political storm in a day of high drama between three police forces