Sangrur/Chandigarh
 
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Friday accused the AAP Government of “cheating” Gulzar Singh’s family by making them believe that a government job had been offered to a family member, when the document handed over to them was merely a “recommendation” from the Sangrur Deputy Commissioner. The charge came as Congress workers held protests across Punjab, demanding the dismissal and arrest of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema for alleged abetment to suicide.
 
Warring, who met Gulzar’s family at their residence in Tur Banjara, Sangrur, also extended financial assistance on behalf of the Congress and assured the family that the party would stand by them in their fight for justice.
 
Gulzar Singh, a 47-year-old Dalit labourer, had publicly questioned Cheema over the unchecked drug menace in Dirba after his son fell prey to drug addiction. The family has alleged that Gulzar was intimidated and humiliated after raising the issue. He subsequently consumed a poisonous substance and recorded a video statement, which has been treated as his dying declaration and in which, according to the Congress, he named Cheema.
 
Warring alleged that Gulzar was “forced to commit suicide” after intimidation by people associated with the Minister. He said the government had subsequently tried to pacify the family by giving them a letter recommending a government job for one of its members. “The family was made to believe that it was an offer letter, before Gulzar Singh’s cremation,” Warring said, describing it as a “clear case of cheating and fraud”.
 
The Congress said police had registered an FIR against five persons but had not named Cheema despite Gulzar allegedly holding him responsible in his dying declaration video. The party questioned why the Minister had not been booked for abetment to suicide if the dying declaration was being treated as evidence.
 
The Congress memorandum submitted to the DGP also alleged that Gulzar’s cremation was forcibly carried out by the government against the wishes of his family. It demanded Cheema’s immediate arrest, arguing that his position and influence could be used to intimidate the family or force a compromise.
 
Warring rejected the government’s charge that the opposition was politicising the issue. “As the leader of the principal opposition party, it is my duty to stand by the family,” he said, assuring them that Congress would seek justice and punishment for everyone found guilty.
 
Meanwhile, hundreds of Congress workers staged demonstrations across Punjab, burnt effigies of Cheema and submitted memoranda through local administrations to CPs and SSPs, seeking an FIR and his arrest. The party said the agitation would continue until action was taken against the minister.
 
Warring said the entire Congress organisation, from Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to grassroots workers, stood with Gulzar’s family. He also cited the earlier case involving Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, saying the government had initially tried to protect him but eventually had to sack and arrest him.