Khaira Condemns Police Brutality in Ludhiana, Says Punjab Being Pushed Towards a Police State

Khaira Condemns Police Brutality in Ludhiana, Says Punjab Being Pushed Towards a Police State

Ludhiana/Jalandhar 31 January ( Vijay Bhambri ) : Senior Congress leader and MLA from Bholath, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, today strongly condemned the alleged police brutality and use of third-degree torture on Ranjot Singh by the Ludhiana Police, calling the incident “deeply shocking, inhuman and a direct assault on the rule of law.” Khaira stated that such incidents expose the growing culture of high handedness within the Punjab Police under the Aam Aadmi Party government. He said the recent pattern of custodial violence, illegal detentions, and reports of fake encounter killings across the state indicate a dangerous and disturbing trend.

“Punjab is steadily being pushed towards a police state where basic human rights are trampled upon and the law is being misused to silence citizens. The alleged torture of Ranjot Singh is not an isolated case but part of a larger pattern of repression under the Bhagwant Mann government,” Khaira said. Taking a sharp dig at the ruling party, Khaira said it was deeply hypocritical for the AAP government to publicly use the photos and names of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Baba Sahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, while completely abandoning their ideals in practice.

“Bhagat Singh stood against oppression and state tyranny, and Baba Sahib Ambedkar gave us a Constitution that guarantees fundamental rights and protection from state excesses. It is shameful that the same government which projects their images is throwing their ideology to the winds by allowing police atrocities, custodial torture, and suppression of dissent,” he stated.

The Congress leader alleged that the AAP government is misusing the police machinery not for maintaining law and order, but as a political tool to intimidate and threaten voices of dissent. He said opposition leaders, activists, and critics of the government are being targeted through false and politically motivated cases.

“Instead of ensuring justice and public safety, the government is allowing the police to act with impunity. Third degree torture and fake encounters have no place in a democratic society. This reflects administrative failure and political interference at the highest level,” he added.

Khaira demanded:

 • An independent judicial inquiry into the alleged torture of Ranjot Singh.

 • Immediate suspension of the officers involved pending investigation.

 • A clear statement from the Chief Minister assuring that custodial torture and fake encounters will not be tolerated.

 • Safeguards to prevent the misuse of police power against political opponents and dissenting citizens.

He warned that continued suppression of civil liberties would erode public trust and damage Punjab’s democratic fabric.

“Democracy cannot survive where fear replaces freedom. The government must decide whether it stands with the Constitution or with coercion,” Khaira asserted.