Uncertainty prevails over the chances of cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu attaining freedom on Republic Day with the Punjab Government doing little to ensure that the former Minister is out after taking advantage of remissions. It seems Sidhu’s jail innings will continue as the State Government is yet to clear the file, recommending his premature release.
As per sources, the state’s Prison Department had sent the file, recommending Sidhu’s premature release, reportedly for his good behaviour, to the Chief Minister’s office, which is yet to be cleared.
Every case of remission has to be approved by the Cabinet, following which, the same would be sent to the Governor for approval.
However, with no Cabinet meeting scheduled this week, ahead of January 26, clearance of the file, related with Sidhu’s case and also of other prisoners, appears to be unlikely as the Chief Minister is currently on Mumbai visit. And, it has been learnt that he would be visiting Bhopal for a private function in the next few days. The Chief Minister would also be in Amritsar on January 27, to launch 400 Aam Aadmi Clinics along with his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal.
The State Government, on Monday, rescheduled its February 1 Cabinet meeting for February 3.
The development assumes significance as the Congress party is making big plans for Sidhu’s anticipated release on January 26. In view of the same, the Congress high command has also reportedly invited Sidhu to participate in an event to mark the conclusion of Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ on January 30 in Srinagar.
Notably, Sidhu’s wife and former MLA Dr Navjot Kaur, along with her son Karan Sidhu, had also joined Rahul Gandhi in his yatra past week on the high command’s request. Dr Navjot, a couple of days ago, had also met the party’s national president Mallikarjun Kharge and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in New Delhi.
It has also been learnt that the party high command had asked the state unit to make arrangements for Sidhu’s grand welcome on the day of his release from Patiala jail, and even deputing a senior central leader to receive him. Plans to hold a road show to Kali Mata temple and Dukh Nivaran Gurudwara were also discussed. Indications are that Sidhu will be given a significant role on his release.
Punjab Congress’ former president Sidhu is currently undergoing one-year imprisonment in Patiala central jail in 1988 road rage case. He was sent to jail on May 20, 2022, after he surrendered before a local court following a Supreme Court order.
