Sucha Singh Chhotepur demands CBI probe, says AAP can defame him if found guilty

Chandigarh [India], Aug. 27 (ANI): Sucha Singh Chhotepur, who was yesterday sacked from the post of party's Punjab convener following allegations of seeking bribe for allotting party tickets, on Saturday demanded for a CBI probe, insisting that the Arvind Kejriwal-led party could defame him if he is found guilty. Talking to ANI, Chhotepur said he was very much surprised by this decision of the party. "A transparent system should have been framed. A committee is formed after my removal. A standard process is that a committee is formed first and then the decision is taken. But it was not the case with me," Chotepur said. "I want to tell them that the people whom they have included in the committee were recommending for my removal. I yesterday said this and I reiterate that if I had done any wrong deed then there should be a CBI inquiry. If I am found guilty, they can defame me," he added. AAP Member of Parliament Bhagwant Mann earlier in the day said that the alleged bribery case against Chhotepur will be probed by a committee constituted by the party. Mann said the committee will investigate all aspects and recommend its verdict, based on which, the party will decide its future course of action. "AAP has zero percent tolerance on corruption; a probe committee will be formed to investigate this matter. So, now this committee will investigate all aspects and then deliver its verdict," said Mann. "The committee constitutes of Sardar Jarnail Singh and Jasbeer Singh Beer who is also the chairperson of our grievances committee," Mann added. The AAP yesterday sacked its Punjab convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur from his post. Amid sharp criticism following accusations of him taking bribes for assigning constituencies to party candidates for the assembly elections in Punjab to be held early next year, an extremely disappointed Chhotepur told media that Arvind Kejriwal did not trust Punjabis. Holding AAP leader Durgesh Pathak responsible for the "conspiracy", Chhotepur claimed that his opponents were defending him while his own party was conspiring against him. "I don't want to damage the party. Let volunteers decide if I am a thief or an honest person," he told the media yesterday. He said that he was ready for even a 'death sentence' if the charges levelled against him are proved to be true. (ANI)