Punjab court issues arrest warrants for 25 farmers in 2022 Modi ‘security lapse’ case

A court in Punjab’s Ferozpur district has issued arrest warrants for 25 farmers in connection with a security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state in 2022, The Indian Express reported on Friday.

The farmers are members of the Bharti Kisan Union (Krantikari) and Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union.

On January 5, 2022, Modi had to abort his visit to Ferozepur triggering a massive political controversy. His convoy was stranded on a flyover for more than 15 minutes as protesters blocked the road to Hussainiwala village in the district. The Union government had described it a “major security lapse”.

However, Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi, who was the Punjab chief minister at the time, had dismissed the claim. He had said there was no threat to the prime minister and that Modi had made a sudden change of plans.

A first information report was initially filed in the matter on January 6, 2022, on charges of obstructing public way. However, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders criticised the charges as “weak”.

This reportedly prompted the formation of a three-member Special Investigation Team. Following the investigation, additional charges, including attempt to murder, assault on a public servant, wrongful restraint and unlawful assembly were added.

The FIR named 26 individuals, including Baldev Singh Zira, the general secretary of Bharti Kisan Union (Krantikari)…

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