Shahkot bypoll: SAD leader ‘carries weapon’ inside polling station, detained

Shahkot, May 28 : Former home minister Brij Bhupinder S Lalli was detained by the Punjab Police on the charges of exhibiting a weapon inside the polling station at Sallah Nagar in Malsian during the Shahkot bypoll on Monday. Lalli had joined the Shiromani Akali Dal after leaving the Congress 10 days ago.
It was the same polling station where Congress candidate Hardev S Laddi cast his vote in the morning. Lalli, whose turban got tossed in the scuffle that ensued, has been detained at Malsian police post where the presiding officer of the polling station is getting a complaint lodged.
Lalli was detained shortly before 3 pm. SAD candidate Naib S Kohar came to meet him at the police post and said “Lalli was being victimised because he left the Congress in my support”.
Lalli was taken in the SAD fold by party chief Sukhbir Badal on May 18. Since then he had tagged along him in Kohar’s support in all rallies and helped SAD in the Lohian belt.
SSP Gurpreet Bhullar said action will be taken according to the statement of presiding officer. Police sources say he is being booked under Section 188 of the IPC and Sections 132, 134-B of the Representation of People’s Act.