The North News
Chandigarh, April 14
Punjab’s Leader of Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, has been booked by state police after claiming that 50 hand grenades had made their way into the state — a statement that has triggered political uproar and raised concerns over national security.
Bajwa, a senior Congress leader, was questioned on Sunday by a team of Punjab Police officials including AIG Intelligence Ravjot Grewal and Mohali SP (City) Harbir Atwal. The team visited Bajwa’s residence in Chandigarh following his remarks in a recent TV interview, where he alleged that 18 of the grenades had already been used in blasts while 32 remained unaccounted for and could be used in future attacks.
The claims drew sharp criticism from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who accused Bajwa of spreading panic and asked whether he had “direct links with Pakistan.” In a video statement, Mann demanded that Bajwa disclose the source of his information, calling the remarks “dangerous and irresponsible.”
Police have registered a case under Sections 197(1)(d) and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which relate to spreading false information that threatens national unity and creating enmity through misleading statements. A senior police official confirmed the registration but requested anonymity.
Bajwa has defended his comments, saying he shared information received from credible sources. “Instead of silencing me, the government should investigate the leads,” he told reporters, insisting that his statement was meant to alert authorities, not incite fear.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also came to Bajwa’s defence, urging the state government “not to shoot the messenger.” He said the police and intelligence agencies should follow up on the claims instead of penalising someone who raised a potential security concern.
