Kangana slapping controversy: Three-member SIT formed to investigate incident

Mohali police on Sunday formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident in which BJP MP from Mandi Kangana Ranaut was allegedly slapped by a woman CISF constable, a senior police official said.

The CISF, which is responsible for airport security, also ordered an investigation into the incident.

The three-member SIT was set up under the leadership of city police commissioner Harbir Singh Atwal and also includes a woman constable to investigate the case after protesters demanded a fair investigation and quashing of the FIR against policewoman Kulwinder Kaur.

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Mohali police arrested Kaur on Friday for allegedly beating and manhandling the newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party MP. The police officer was immediately suspended after the incident. Kaur’s husband is also stationed with the CISF in Jammu. The couple has two children.

Following the CISF complaint, the police have registered a case against Kaur under sections 323 (punishment for intentionally causing hurt) and 341 (wrongfully confining a person) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Both sections provide for bail.

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SP Atwal said no specific time frame has been given for submission of the report but the investigation will be completed at the earliest.

“After hearing the farmers’ demands, an SIT has been formed under my leadership. After a fair investigation into the incident, we will submit the report to the SSP of Mohali as soon as possible. A woman police officer will also be part of the SIT,” Atwal said.

Mohali SSP Sandeep Kumar Garg said that based on the investigation conducted by the SIT, appropriate action would be taken in the case.

The incident took place on Thursday at Chandigarh airport when Ranaut was on his way to Delhi. Kaur was apparently upset by Ranaut’s comments on the farmers’ protests.

Ranaut said in a video message on Thursday that she was hit in the face and abused by the police officer during a security check.

In a video statement posted on X titled “Shocking rise in terror and violence in Punjab,” Ranaut said she was safe and doing well.

“She slapped me on the face and started abusing me. I asked her why she did that and she said she supported the farmers’ protests. I am safe but I am worried that terrorism and extremism are on the rise in Punjab… How do we deal with this?” Ranaut had said.

Another video that made the rounds on social media showed the angry police officer speaking to people, presumably after the incident, condemning Kangana’s statements on the farmers’ protests.

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Meanwhile, several farmers’ organisations, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Apolitical) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, held a march in Mohali in support of the CISF constable and demanded a fair investigation.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Sidhupur) president Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha president Sarwan Singh Pandher and other farmer leaders have submitted a memorandum to Mohali SSP Sandeep Kumar Garg with their demands. “We have demanded a fair and independent investigation and requested the SSP not to succumb to any political pressure. Besides, we also want an FIR against Ranaut for making provocative statements that could incite violence after the alleged slapping incident,” Dallewal said.