Chandigarh (National Times): Political tensions in Punjab escalated sharply after an FIR was registered against state ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora under BNS sections 336(4), 356, and 61(2). The complaint, filed by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, accuses the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of circulating a doctored video that misrepresented his statements in the Punjab Assembly.
According to Bajwa, the edited video twisted his remarks — which were a criticism of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau’s handling of a case involving a female Congress MLA — to make it appear as if he was defending Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia. “The video was intentionally altered to defame me and mislead the public. Those responsible will face consequences,” Bajwa asserted in a strongly worded statement.
Reacting to the FIR, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema welcomed the move but countered with sharp political allegations of his own. “This FIR is very welcome. It will expose how Congress flips its stand on every issue. One day, Bajwa attacks the system, the next day he calls it an attack on himself,” Cheema said.
Cheema also accused Bajwa of aligning with the BJP to target the AAP government. “This is a false case, orchestrated with the Centre’s help. Bajwa’s growing closeness with the BJP is evident,” he claimed.
AAP has so far denied any manipulation of the video in question and defended its dissemination as part of routine political messaging. Meanwhile, the FIR has added fuel to the ongoing battle between the ruling party and the opposition in Punjab, with both sides trading accusations of dishonesty, betrayal, and misuse of institutions.
The issue is now under police investigation, and with legal action underway, the controversy is expected to dominate Punjab’s political discourse in the coming days.
