BJP sacks leader held in NDPS case

Our Correspondent

Abohar, July 3

The BJP today expelled Vijay Kumar Kamboj, alias Daddi, chairman, Primary Agricultural Development Bank (PADB), Fazilka, from the party for six years. He was arrested for allegedly possessing 7.5 kg poppy husk on June 29.

Daddi had also been elected as member of panchayat samiti from Asafwala zone that is situated close to India-Pakistan border. The party is tight-lipped whether he would be allowed to hold both the offices.

Daddi was considered close to Health Minister Surjit Jyani and was appointed as chairman by removing a senior party leader. Jyani, however, said drug addicts shouldn’t be allowed to remain members of the party.

On June 29, the Hanumangarh district police chased a Verna car with a blue beacon atop after it rammed into a naka on the highway near Pallu. Once the car was intercepted, the police arrested Fazilka residents SAD leader Mehal Singh, Balbir Singh, Vijay Kamboj, Lekh Raj Kamboj and Ved Parkash. The police recovered 7.5 kg of poppy husk.

The accused reportedly told the police that they were carrying poppy husk for personal consumption. The five accused were on Thursday remanded in judicial custody at Rawatsar.

This is not the first instance wherein a SAD leader has been held with drugs. Earlier, Dalip Kumar of Bishanpura village near Abohar was arrested with 1 kg opium. He was sentenced to 3.5 years imprisonment, but the SAD leadership allegedly ensured that he continued to function as the village sarpanch.