BJP leader Sambit Patra on Monday, 5 October launched a sharp broadside against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, alleging a collapse in law and order and rampant corruption — citing a Punjab and Haryana High Court direction for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into graft allegations against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and others. Patra made the remarks at a press conference at BJP's central office in New Delhi, demanding accountability from Mann, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and the AAP leadership.

HC-Ordered CBI Probe: What the Court Said

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the CBI to investigate corruption allegations against Chief Minister Mann's OSD, Ranbir Singh Ghuman, and certain other officials. According to Patra, the allegations centre on claims that Ghuman and the accused officials facilitated the delivery of government benefits to individuals in exchange for bribes or commissions. The court has reportedly instructed the CBI to complete the inquiry within two months and submit its findings. The probe adds to a growing list of governance controversies surrounding the AAP's tenure in Punjab.

Four Murders in 48 Hours: Key Incidents Cited

Patra cited what he described as four murders and multiple attacks on police personnel in Punjab within 48 hours, demanding answers from the state government. Among the incidents he highlighted:

On Sunday evening in Amritsar, social media influencer and makeup artist Mad Sandhu was allegedly murdered. In Ludhiana, Patra said former sarpanch Navtej Singh of Malewal village was shot dead on Saturday evening. A 29-year-old resident, Laddi Khan of Mullanpur Dakha village, was also allegedly shot dead. In addition, 35-year-old Dinesh Kumar was reportedly stabbed to death in Anant Vihar Colony, Sahnewal, Ludhiana.

Police Personnel Under Attack: A Pattern of Violence

Patra also pointed to a series of attacks on law enforcement officials in Punjab, arguing that even the police were not safe under the AAP administration. He cited the following incidents:

On 22 February, ASI Gurnam Singh was shot dead at the Aandhiyan Police Post in Gurdaspur district, while Home Guard Ashok Kumar was also killed the same day. On 24 May, ASI Joga Singh was allegedly shot and killed while on duty in Hamza village under Fatehgarh Churian, Amritsar district. ASI Harjit Singh was allegedly killed on 18 September, and five days later, ASI Jaswant Singh narrowly survived an attempt on his life. Most recently, ASI Sukhchain Singh reportedly came under gunfire on Sunday but survived.

'When police officers themselves are being killed, who will take responsibility for the safety of ordinary citizens?' Patra asked.

BJP Accuses AAP of Double Standards

The BJP MP from Puri Lok Sabha constituency, Odisha, accused Kejriwal and the AAP of applying double standards — alleging that the party would have led mass protests and demanded dismissal of the government had a comparable law-and-order breakdown occurred in any BJP-governed state. This comes amid the BJP's sustained campaign against the AAP in the run-up to forthcoming political cycles, with Punjab remaining a key opposition-ruled state in the BJP's national narrative. Notably, Punjab has seen a series of targeted killings and gang-related violence in recent years, a trend that opposition parties have consistently flagged against the state government.

What Happens Next

The CBI probe ordered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court is now the most significant institutional development in this controversy, with a two-month deadline for the investigation report. The AAP government in Punjab is yet to issue a formal response to Patra's allegations. The political pressure is likely to intensify as the BJP prepares for a sustained campaign targeting AAP's governance record in the state.