Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) led by former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal found itself red-faced yesterday as a day after senior SAD (Badal) leaders defended Sucha Singh Langah, former minister belonging to the party who is booked in a rape case, a video of his shameful deeds went viral.
Sucha Singh Langah was booked on Friday (Sept. 29) for rape on the complaint of a widow, who alleged she had been repeatedly raped since 2009 when she first met him.
The Gurdaspur police had filed a case under 376 (rape), 384 (extortion), 420 (cheating and dishonesty) and 506 (criminal intimidation) against Sucha Singh Langah. The complainant had reportedly handed over complaint along with a Video to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) on Thursday (Sept. 28).
A statement of Sucha Singh Langah was released to the media by SAD (Badal) on Friday (Sept. 29) in which he had termed the case as “a classic example of political vendetta perpetuated at the most political opportune moment when the by-election of the Gurdaspur Parliamentary constituency is under way”.
The SAD (Badal) was quick to take resignation from all posts from Langah in order to avoid embarrassment especially in wake of by-election in Gurdaspur constituency. Langah had declared to surrender himself before Gurdaspur court but he failed to do so after the video went viral.
The SAD (B) leaders, including MP Prem Singh Chandumajra had rejected allegations of rape and extortion against Langah. But after the video of Sucha Singh Langah went viral, the SAD (Badal) is now finding it difficult to defend him.
Party president Sukhbir Badal was set to begin campaign rallies on Sunday (Oct. 01) from Fatehgarh Churain, the constituency of Sucha Singh Langah, but failed to do so due to the controversy.
According to a news report in Daily Ajit, he has been ousted from the party.
Recent reports say that Langah surrendered before a Chandigarh court today (Oct. 2).