Capt Sing accuses Punjab govt of 'third degree' methods

Patiala, May 20 (UNI) Former Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh today alleged that the Punjab government was using all possible means to implicate him in the multi crore Ludhiana City Centre scam.

In a faxed statement to mediapersons here, Capt Singh alleged that the state Vigilance Bureau had used third degree torture methods to "force completely fictitious confessions out of Chetan Gupta, who was picked up from Delhi in connection with the Ludhiana City Centre case last week".

"I have been reliably informed that Chetan Gupta has and continues to the subjected to terrible physical and emotional tortures by Vigilance officers, who have orders from the state government by hook or crook, bring evidence against my family members, friends, political associates and me", the statement claimed.

"The disclosures attributed to Chetan Gupta by the Vigilance Bureau that he transferred crores of rupees from the country on my behalf and that this money was invested in property, bank accounts and other projects, are patently false and part of the lies being cooked up to somehow indict me', the statement further claimed.

Challenging chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his government to come out with details of the so-called overseas investment made on his behalf, Capt Singh said that he was ready to be probed by any officer duly appointed by the court to secrutinise all his assets, bank accounts, properties in India and overseas and any other premises.

Further regarding his son Raninder Singh, the statemeny said that the PIL filed by the Akalis in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the Punjab Intranet scam against his son was duly dismissed by the court. The Intranet case was being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate, the statement pointed out.

"I assure the Chief Minsiter that if he can proove the charges against me, I will give up politics and willingly stand trial before a court of law', the statement added.

The statement alleged that the Vigilance Bureau was acting under specific directions from the Badals to settle political scores.

Capt Singh alongwith 17 others is an alleged accused in the City Centre scam which was probed by the Vigilance Bureau. He has been granted anticipatory bail in the case by the High Court.

UNI