28th September 2023, Mumbai: Punjab Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira found himself at the center of controversy surrounding the wedding of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha and Bollywood actor Parineeti Chopra. Khaira, who was arrested by the Punjab Police in connection with a 2015 drugs case, raised questions about the wedding and gifts exchanged between the couple. His last social media post before his arrest was about Parineeti Chopra’s wedding ring, which he claimed was more expensive than Chadha’s declared income could afford.
Khaira questioned how Raghav Chadha could afford to gift a 4-carat diamond ring
In his tweet, Khaira questioned how Raghav Chadha could afford to gift a 4-carat diamond ring to Parineeti Chopra when his declared income was significantly lower. He demanded that Chadha clarify the source of funds for such an expensive gift. He also highlighted the fact that Parineeti Chopra had given him a ring of lesser value, raising questions about the financial aspects of their wedding.
2015 drugs case.
Hours after making these tweets, a team of Punjab Police arrived at Khaira’s residence and conducted a raid in connection with the old 2015 drugs case. Khaira went live on Facebook and argued with the police during the arrest. His son, Mehtab Singh, called the detention “vendetta politics” and emphasized that his father had always exposed the true face of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his party. Khaira’s son claimed that the arrest was a result of speaking the truth and that the 2015 FIR had been used to target him.
Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra’s wedding
Before raising questions about the wedding ring, Khaira had criticized the grandeur of Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra’s wedding ceremony, which took place in Udaipur on September 24. He accused AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Raghav Chadha, and Bhagwant Mann, of breaking their promises to end the VIP culture by participating in extravagant events.
Bhakra Beas Management Board
Khaira also criticized Bhagwant Mann for not objecting to the appointment of Manoj Tripathi as Chairman of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which he believed was against Punjab’s interests. He claimed that if Mann had objected to such anti-Punjab decisions, farmers would not have to suffer the consequences of floods that repeatedly devastate their future. The arrest of Sukhpal Singh Khaira prompted strong reactions from various political leaders. AAP MP Sushil Gupta suggested that Khaira had been involved in the drug business and would face a proper investigation. BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa criticized the Punjab Police for arresting Khaira without summoning him for questioning first and accused the government of misusing its power to target opposition leaders.
The Congress condemned Khaira’s arrest and described it as an abuse of power and an act of vengeance. The party expressed solidarity with Khaira and vowed to continue the fight against injustice. Sukhpal Singh Khaira’s arrest in connection with a 2015 drugs case came after he raised questions about the financial aspects of Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra’s wedding, particularly the cost of the wedding ring. His arrest led to a political controversy with various parties offering different perspectives on the matter.
By Yashika Desai