The incident highlights the increasing instances of political threats and intimidation, raising concerns over safety and the rule of law, particularly in rural areas where local elections often lead to intense political rivalry
The Ludhiana (Rural) police have launched an investigation into a disturbing incident in which two individuals, including an NRI from Australia, allegedly threatened a BJP leader. The incident involved threats of violence against the leader and his family, demanding he leave the saffron party.
The accused, identified as Harwinder Singh Bhimi and Gurpreet Singh Gopi (an NRI residing in Australia), are both from Rasulpur Malha village in Jagraon subdivision. Gursimran Singh, the district vice president of the BJP, lodged a complaint, claiming that the duo had been harassing him with threats ever since he joined the party ahead of the village panchayat elections.
- The Ludhiana police have registered a case under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those addressing criminal intimidation and harassment
- Investigating Officer Manohar Lal confirmed that the police are looking into the allegations and will take further action once the details of the case are thoroughly verified
Singh reported that the threats began after he joined the BJP, a move that allegedly angered Gopi, who had hoped to manipulate local political outcomes. Despite Gursimran Singh’s efforts to stand firm, Gopi allegedly continued to threaten him and his family. The situation escalated after the BJP-backed candidate, with the help of Singh, succeeded in becoming the sarpanch of the village. Singh said that Gopi, unable to force him to leave the party, then resorted to threatening to kill him and his son.
The BJP leader also revealed that Gopi continued the threats through multiple conference calls made via WhatsApp from Bhimi’s number, after Gopi’s direct calls had been blocked.
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