Photo Source; Babushahi Bureau
SAD seeks judicial probe into Barnala lathi charge, CBI inquiry into alleged paper leaks
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, July 31, 2026: A delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), led by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, on Friday met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and submitted two memorandums seeking a judicial inquiry into the Barnala lathi-charge incident and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged examination paper leaks and irregularities in government recruitment processes.
The SAD delegation urged the Governor to intervene and order a high-level judicial inquiry into the alleged police action against Scheduled Caste women and sanitation workers in Barnala.
Addressing mediapersons after the meeting, Badal said the party had requested that the inquiry be conducted by a sitting or retired judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
He alleged that police personnel used excessive force against sanitation workers during the protest and demanded the registration of an attempt-to-murder case against DSP Satvir Singh Bains and other police officials allegedly involved in the incident. The SAD also sought their dismissal from service.
Badal further alleged that adequate compensation and proper medical treatment had not been provided to the injured sanitation workers. He called for meaningful dialogue with the workers and an early resolution of their long-pending demands.
In a separate memorandum, the SAD raised concerns over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in government recruitment examinations. The party claimed that repeated leaks had affected the future of a large number of students and job aspirants.
The delegation demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged role of government functionaries, public servants and private individuals in the cases. It also sought a forensic examination of digital records, CCTV footage, servers, communication records and other documents related to the examinations.
The SAD further demanded a comprehensive audit of recruitment examinations conducted by various state agencies over the past four-and-a-half years.
Referring to the recent Pharmacy Officer examination, the party alleged that electronic devices, including Bluetooth receivers and miniature earphones, were used to compromise the examination process.
The SAD claimed that several other examinations had also faced allegations of paper leaks or irregularities, including recruitment tests conducted by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) and Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB).
Badal also alleged that a significant number of government jobs in Punjab were being awarded to candidates from outside the state. He claimed that this was part of an attempt by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to expand its political presence in neighbouring states.
The SAD delegation included senior leaders Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Heera Singh Gabria, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, Sikander Singh Maluka, Bikram Singh Majithia, Darbara Singh Guru and Naresh Dhingan.