Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagjit Singh on Friday, 3 June, moved the Supreme Court over the murder of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, and demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.
Singh argued in his Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that Moose Wala's killing has completely shaken public confidence in Punjab.
It also said that not only has the state government "miserably failed" in preventing the incident from taking place, but it has also not been able to put a stop to gang wars that has created a "storm of fear and terror" in Punjab, PTI reported.
"That there is a storm of fear and terror in the state of Punjab which warrants interference by this Hon'ble Court as fundamental rights of entire population of Punjab have been jeopardised at large," the PIL stated.
'Govt Knew About Death Threats Against Moose Wala, Withdrew Security Nonetheless'
Singh further stated that despite being aware about the death threats received by the singer from international crime syndicates, the Bhagwant Mann government curtailed Moose Wala's security and made it public.
The plea claimed that Moose Wala had been receiving death threats and intimidating calls from international crime syndicates over the last two years, as per PTI.
It also added that the singer's murder had led to a "speculative public discourse in the media which might mislead the investigation," and urged the Supreme Court to transfer the probe to the CBI.
"The accused persons have fled to various states of the country and it would be in the interest of justice if the present FIR is transferred to a central agency," the petition said.
Sidhu Moose Wala was murdered on 29 May in Punjab's Mansa. Soon after his murder, the Punjab police claimed that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's gang was responsible for the attack.
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