High Court orders CFSL Chandigarh to examine Patiala SSP Varun Sharma’s viral audio
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday ordered that the viral audio clip allegedly involving Patiala SSP Varun Sharma be sent to the Chandigarh CFSL for a neutral forensic examination. The direction came during the hearing of multiple PILs filed by Shiromani Akali Dal (Dr Daljit Singh Cheema), Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, and the BJP, seeking a probe by an impartial agency into alleged violence, intimidation and misuse of official machinery during the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in Punjab.
State EC to submit reply tomorrow
The court noted that the State Election Commission (SEC) would file its reply on Thursday, detailing what action had been taken so far regarding complaints related to polling-day incidents and the viral audio clip.
During the proceedings, the SEC’s counsel informed the Bench that they had also just received the inquiry report and would place it on record.
Senior advocate Ashok Aggarwal, appearing for the Shiromani Akali Dal, argued that the petitioners had not been provided copies of relevant reports. He added that SAD leader and legal wing chief Arshdeep Singh Kaler's pen drive containing the audio clip had already been submitted, and the Commission should focus on verifying its authenticity rather than questioning the “original source”.
He demanded seizure of the mobile phones of police officials who were allegedly involved in the audio conversation.
Representing the BJP, senior advocate Chetan Mittal said the audio must be examined by a neutral forensic agency, questioning how a fair probe could be conducted at the Mohali forensic lab. He cited incidents of snatching and tearing of nomination papers, alleging open misuse of state machinery, similar to previous Panchayat and Municipal elections.
The SEC informed the court that notices had been issued to individuals believed to possess the original content, including Sukhbir Singh Badal and Arshdeep Singh Kaler. Jai Inder Kaur had also been asked to submit any video or audio content in her possession.
The pen drive submitted by Arshdeep Kaler on December 7 had been sent to the Mohali Forensic Lab for examination. SSP Varun Sharma had been sent on leave until the completion of the election process and SSP Sangrur Sartaj Singh Chahal had been given additional charge.
The Commission assured the court that elections would be conducted fairly and transparently.
When asked by the Chief Justice, the SEC confirmed that SSP Sharma had indeed proceeded on leave.
On the other hand, Punjab’s Advocate General questioned how political parties could file such PILs. However, the Bench proceeded with the hearing, noting the seriousness of the allegations.
Senior advocate APS Deol, appearing for the Congress, argued that the State Forensic Lab’s report could not be relied upon. He requested that the petition not be disposed of, so that the parties could approach the court promptly if fresh incidents of intimidation occurred during the ongoing polls. The SAD, BJP and Congress urged the court not to conclude the matter today.
The Chief Justice remarked that the High Court would issue two separate orders to dispose of the matter but agreed that the CFSL Chandigarh should conduct the forensic examination to avoid any questions over neutrality.
Chetan Mittal requested a time-bound investigation, to which the Bench said timelines would be addressed in the final order.
The court observed that the viral audio, in which the SSP is allegedly issuing instructions, has raised serious concerns over the fairness of the elections. The remaining orders will be issued later.
- PTC NEWS
