Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday claimed that former CM and Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi's nephew had demanded Rs 2 crore from cricketer Jass Inder Singh to help him get a government job. The claim has, however, been dismissed as "baseless" by Channi, who says it is a ploy to harass him.
Mann had first levelled the allegations against Channi's nephew Jashan on May 22 but did not name the cricketer. However, he brought state cricketer Jass Inder Singh Baidwan and his father Manjinder Singh at the press conference and again levelled the allegations.
"Jass Inder Singh is a team member of the Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings), although he did not get a chance in the playing 11," Mann said during the press meet, according to news agency PTI.
The chief minister also showed pictures of Manjinder Singh with Channi.
Jass Inder Singh and his father had met Channi at Punjab Bhawan in Chandigarh. Channi told them that their work would be done, Mann claimed, as reported by PTI.
Then they were told to meet Channi's nephew Jashan, Mann further said at the press conference.
A former Ranji Trophy player, Jass Inder Singh represented Punjab in other tournaments too including Vijay Merchant Trophy and Cooch Behar Trophy, according to Mann.
The chief minister said that Jass Inder Singh had appeared in a Punjab Public Service Commission examination and was eligible for a government job under the sports quota.
Jass Inder Singh and his father also met Channi, who was briefed about the case by the then principal secretary Hussan Lal. Channi told them that their work would be done and the matter placed before the cabinet, Mann said.
He was then told to meet Channi's nephew, he said.
"The nephew looked at their documents and his name was Jashan," said Mann.
Channi's nephew told them that their work would be done and raised a demand for "two", he alleged, adding that Jass Inder Singh was asked to arrange money before the next cabinet meeting.
"Jashan demanded 'two' (which means Rs 2 crore) but they (Jass Inder Singh and his father) brought Rs 2 lakh," he said, as reported by PTI.
Mann has warned legal action in the matter and said Jass Inder Singh will be given a job as per norms after studying his case.
Meanwhile, Channi at a press conference has called the allegations baseless and said "He (Mann) wants to defame me with his baseless allegations."
Channi has also accused Mann of "mentally torturing" him and his family with his "false allegations", reported PTI.
Channi was flanked by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and MLA Pargat Singh. Jashan, the son of Channi's younger brother, was also present at the press conference.
Jashan is a doctor and preparing for MD, Channi said. Jashan said he never met Jass Inder Singh or his father.