Resolution against Bains brothers in Punjab Assembly

Punjab Assembly today passed a resolution criticising the "irresponsible" behaviour of Lok Insaf Party (LIP) MLAs Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains in connection with an alleged "audio recording" which they released pertaining to a drug case in which AAP leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira has been summoned.
While the resolution accused the Bains brothers of "impairing the majesty of law, obstructing the administration of justice and lowering the image and dignity of the Court and its Hon'ble Judges in the eyes of public", Khaira and the two LIP MLAs hit out at the government for bringing the resolution.
Strongly condemning the resolution, Khaira, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, described it as "well thought conspiracy" against him and said "he could be shot or hanged if he is found guilty" in the drug case.

The Bains brothers, as the two MLAs are known, had reportedly released an audio recording two days ago related to the drug case.
The resolution was today moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra on the last day of the third session of 15th Vidhan Sabha here today.
Mohindra said a fair and thorough probe was the need of the hour in the "audio recording scandal".

"The House unanimously deprecates the casual and irresponsible manner in which Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) MLAs Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains have released an audio recording...," the resolution read condemning the Bains brothers for "casting aspersions on the judiciary".

"The House would urge the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to take suo-moto notice/cognizance of this incident and further action as required which amounts to nothing short of impairing the majesty of law, obstructing the administration of justice and lowering the image and dignity of the Court and its Hon'ble Judges in the eyes of public at large," the resolution further said.
After the resolution was moved, AAP and LIP MLAs rose from their seats and condemned it.
Khaira said that it was well thought conspiracy against him by the government. "You can hang me or shoot me if I am found guilty (in drug case)," he said.

Khaira was recently summoned by Fazilka court in a drug case. Punjab and Haryana High court had turned down a petition filed by an AAP legislator and the leader of opposition challenging the summons issued by the Fazilka court in a drug case on November 17.
After the resolution was passed, AAP MLAs staged a walk out from the House in protest.
Later talking to reporters, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh hit out at Khaira for "casting aspersion on the judiciary".
The chief minister said he urged the Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court to take suo motu cognizance of the incident and initiate suitable action.

He added that any attempt to cast aspersions on the judiciary would be rejected by the people. The defence services and the judiciary were the two institutions in which the people have complete faith and any effort to denigrate them is intolerable, he added.
Had AAP been serious about raising its concerns, or had there been even an iota of authenticity in the said tape, they would have gone to the the Chief Justice before releasing the same, Amarinder Singh said.
"The people have full faith in the judiciary and will not be diverted by such gimmicks, said Amarinder, adding that such acts were unacceptable and the judiciary should take serious note of the issue and act on it," he said.

Asked about the offensive language and personal attack launched against him by Khaira, the chief minister said it exposed the "petty and spiteful" mindset of the leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, and his party, which obviously "did not believe in upholding constitutional or parliamentary propriety".
AAP's repeated attempts to undermine the state Assembly, which it had been persistently obstructing from conducting its legislative business in every session, showed the party's totally "unethical" character, he said.
Talking to reporters, Khaira hit out at Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for bringing the resolution against Bains brothers, alleging that it was targeted at him.

"I never thought Amarinder (Singh) would stoop to such a level," alleged a livid Khaira, who termed it a black day in the history of assembly.
They even did not allow for debate on the resolution, claimed Khaira, who was accompanied by both the Bains brother when he spoke to the media.
Referring to the resolution, Simarjit Singh Bains said the voice of opposition was being stifled.