Patiala Mayor resigns after being accused of murder

Under pressure from the leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Patiala Mayor Jaspal Pardhan, who has been booked by the police in the murder case of a woman, has resigned.

Pardhan's son Preetinder Singh told PTI that his father had late on Monday night sent the resignation letter to party secretary and spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema after the ruling SAD asked him to resign on moral grounds.

Earlier, Cheema had said that party president Sukhbir Singh Badal has asked Pardhan to resign on moral grounds.

SAD sources said that his resignation would be accepted from the post by the local municipal corporation.

"He has faxed his resignation to the party high command," Preeetinder said.

Pardhan is a co-accused along with his accomplice Paramjeet Kaur and her son Harpreet Singh for allegedly killed Harpreet’s wife Parampreet Kaur.

The Punjab government has formed a special investigation team to probe the murder of Parmpreet.

"The Patiala police has arrested two accused, including the deceased's husband Harpreet Singh and her mother-in-law Parmjeet Kaur. We have secured their police remand for one day and would produce them in court today. The SIT has started its investigations," Inspector General (Patiala zone) Parmjit Singh Gill had said.

According to sources, the SAD had been under pressure from the opposition and within the party as even as his detractors were lobbying for his ouster.

Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra had played a key role in helping Pardhan secure the top post after the Patiala Municipal Corporation elections last year.

Pardhan was appointed Mayor on September 17 but his relations with Rakhra became strained soon.