The Bharatiya Janata Get together (BJP) on Sunday demanded the instant resignation of Punjab Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak over allegations of sexual misconduct in opposition to him. The saffron occasion additionally stated there needs to be an neutral probe performed into the complete matter. This comes after the Nationwide Fee for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) issued a discover to the Punjab authorities earlier on Friday. The NCSC requested the federal government to submit a report on the allegations in opposition to Kataruchak after a letter was despatched to it by the sufferer, who has additionally accused the Minister of threatening him and his household.
Whereas talking at a press convention, BJP nationwide spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla stated, as quoted by information company PTI, “This can be a terrifying story of sexual exploitation, sexual predatory behaviour, sexual grooming, debauchery and most of all, ethical turpitude and ethical degradation to the bottom ranges.”
He additionally stated Kataruchak has exploited a “Dalit boy” whereas citing the allegations levelled by the sufferer in opposition to the Minister. “We demand the instant resignation of the minister and an neutral probe during which the state authorities has no function,” Poonawalla stated.
Poonawalla additional stated Kataruchak is a “heavyweight” minister within the Punjab authorities and has “a really shut relationship” with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal.
He additionally stated, as quoted by PTI, “As long as Kataruchak is a minister within the Punjab authorities, there can’t be an neutral probe into allegations in opposition to him.”
In the meantime, NSCN stated on Friday Kataruchak had allegedly approached the sufferer “by sending him a buddy request on Fb in 2013-14 and when he accepted it, Kataruchak allegedly began making advances”, as cited by PTI.
Nonetheless, the sufferer stated, “Since he was an influential individual, he had promised me a authorities job attributable to which I remained mum. I used to be too younger at the moment to know something. However, his sexual excesses continued until 2021.”
The sufferer additionally revealed the Minister met him for the final time on Diwali in 2021 and he neither supplied him with a job nor did he meet the sufferer after that, as reported by PTI.
Commenting on the matter, the sufferer additionally stated, “I’m now on the run and submitting the criticism in Delhi because the Minister is threatening to hurt me or my household.”
Taking cognisance of the sufferer’s criticism, the NCSC has issued a discover to the Punjab authorities and requested the chief secretary and the director common of police to analyze the matter. It has additionally requested the federal government to submit an motion taken report “instantly” via submit or electronic mail.
Amid all this, the fee has additionally requested the federal government to supply safety to the sufferer.