A fresh political storm has erupted in Punjab after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal accused the Patiala Police of conspiring to obstruct Akali workers and candidates from filing their nominations for the upcoming Zilla Parishad and Block Samiti elections.
Badal on Thursday shared an audio clip on social media, claiming it exposes a deliberate plan by senior Patiala Police officers to support ruling party candidates and sabotage the democratic process. The clip, which The Tribune reported it could not independently verify, allegedly captures a conference call held a night earlier, where police officers are heard discussing ways to prevent opposition candidates — particularly from the SAD — from filing their papers.
According to Badal, the officers in the clip were taking instructions from Patiala SSP Varun Sharma on maintaining “law and order.” However, what has raised eyebrows are the purported remarks suggesting that any action against Akali candidates should be carried out outside official nomination centers — in villages, at home, or on routes leading to the centers — to avoid direct scrutiny.
🚨ਜਿੱਥੇ ਅਕਾਲੀ ਮਿਲਣ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਮਜਦਗੀ ਪੱਤਰ ਪਾੜ੍ਹ ਦਿਓ: Punjab Police 🚨
— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) December 4, 2025
ਲੋਕਤੰਤਰ ਦਾ ਘਾਣ ਕਰਕੇ, ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਪ੍ਰੀਸ਼ਦ ਅਤੇ ਬਲਾਕ ਸੰਮਤੀ ਚੋਣਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬੇਸ਼ਰਮੀ ਨਾਲ ਲੁੱਟਣ ਦੀ ਤਿਆਰੀਆਂ ਸਬੰਧੀ Patiala Police ਦੀ ਕੱਲ੍ਹ ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਹੋਈ MOST SENSITIVE Conference Call ਦੀ ਸਾਰੀ recording ਆਪ ਸਭ ਸੁਣੋ:
"ਅੱਜ Police… pic.twitter.com/5B98XBU6aY
Several voices in the alleged recording, believed to belong to DSPs and other officers, can be heard discussing coordination with local political leaders who were reportedly “satisfied” with the arrangements. One voice even claims that the administration had “no objection” if force needed to be used, provided the obstruction took place before candidates could reach the nomination venue. Another officer allegedly mentions receiving directions from a local legislator.
Calling it a “murder of democracy,” Badal said the audio proves a systematic attempt to rig the local body elections and intimidate Akali candidates. “What we are witnessing is the open misuse of state machinery to loot the elections,” he said, demanding immediate action against those involved.
Within hours of being shared, the audio clip went viral across social media platforms, sparking intense political debate and outrage among opposition ranks. The buzz forced the Election Commission to step in, with the Punjab State Election Commission ordering videography of all nomination processes in Zilla Parishad and Block Samiti polls following multiple complaints from opposition parties.
Meanwhile, a senior police officer from Patiala dismissed the audio as “fabricated,” insisting that no such instructions were ever issued. Despite several attempts, Patiala SSP Varun Sharma could not be reached for comment.
As the controversy deepens, the incident has raised fresh questions about fairness, transparency, and the rule of law in Punjab’s local elections — with the SAD vowing to take the issue to the Election Commission and the courts if needed.