SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal and Former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal (PTI Photo)

Former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his former Deputy, son Sukhbir Singh, will appear before a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to look into the police firings at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan following Bargari sacrilege incident in 2015.

The decision was taken in the Core Committee meeting of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday, leader Parambans Singh Romana said here on Monday.

“They will appear before the SIT. We will cooperate in the investigation as we want the truth to come out,” said Romana.

On a question that the Akalis had earlier not joined the probe with Justice Ranjit Singh (Retd) Commission that had also summoned the duo, former Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa said that there was no change in the party stand.

“We have already demanded a CBI investigation into the police firings. Our stand does not change, but we will go in front of the SIT as it is a team of police officers. Police officers work for the government and not for any political party. Justice Ranjit Singh was associated with the Congress party,” said the leader.

On Akshay Kumar’s links with Sukhbir and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Romana said the actor had already denied the same. He said he was not aware whether Akshay would appear before the SIT.

During the press conference, the Akalis also alleged that the state government was on the verge of getting bankrupt. Dhindsa said the government was not able to run the state without the Centre’s help.

Dhindsa also stated that the boycott of the Assembly sitting, in which Justice Ranjit Singh (Retd) Commission report was debated was a “debatable” issue.

SIT Goof up

In its summons issued to former CM Parkash Singh Badal, the SIT has mentioned his address as house number 45, Sector 2, Chandigarh, which is the incumbent Chief Minister’s official residence.