NEW DEHLI /JALANDHAR /CHANDIGARH
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has expressed grave concern over the allegations made against Punjab minister Balkar Singh of engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct and sought a prompt and impartial probe into the matter.
The allegations were brought to light by BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, who accused Balkar Singh, a member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), of engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct.
According to Mr Bagga, Mr Singh was involved in a sexual activity during a video call with a woman seeking employment.
The NCW, led by its chairperson Rekha Sharma, has vehemently condemned the purported behaviour.
The NCW said in a post on X that Ms Sharma called for urgent intervention from the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure a prompt and impartial investigation into the matter.
The NCW has requested a comprehensive report on the incident to be submitted within three days.
"The National Commission for Women is gravely disturbed by a Twitter post alleging inappropriate conduct by Punjab MLA Mr Balkar Singh. The reported acts, if substantiated, constitute serious violations under IPC sections 354 and 354B, directly affronting a woman's dignity.
A sleazy video of an Aam Aadmi Party minister that has gone viral since late last evening has put the ruling party in the dock, especially when the polling date is nearing.
Leaders of the BJP, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal have started demanding criminal action against him, besides seeking his removal from the Cabinet. The video has gone viral at a time when AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and CM Bhagwant Mann have been campaigning aggressively, claiming a 13-0 result in Punjab.
A copy of the video, which is learned to be at least five months old, and former Akali minister Bikram S Majithia had handed it over to Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit for his intervention. The matter had been lying dumped until the video went viral on social media.
Minister Balkar Singh said that he has no comments and there is nothing of the sort in his knowledge.