PATIALA (TIP): The Civil Lines police arrested the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) sarpanch of Rathiya village late on December 12 night for allegedly slapping the superintendent of panchayat and rural development department posted in Sanaur office of department. Superintendent Jaspal singh had alleged on Wednesday that he was slapped by SAD sarpanch of Rathiya village Sukhjit Singh .

“We have registered a case against sarpanch for assaulting government employee and arrested Sukhjit on Wednesday night,” said SHO Civil Lines police station Ranbir Singh. Sukhjit was sent in judicial remand by a court on December 13. Immediately after the incident, Tejinderpal Sandhu , area incharge of ruling SAD, had disowned the sarpanch and even said that he belongs to Congress party. But sarpanch himself and senior Congress leaders of Patiala said, sarpanch belongs to SAD as he joined it before last assembly elections and campaigned for Sandhu.

Vice president of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee and former minister Lal Singh had also said, Sukhjit had leftCongress before last assembly elections and joined the SAD.