No need to hand over drug peddling case to CBI: Badal

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the state police were investigating the drug peddling case in an efficient manner and there was no need to hand over the probe to the CBI.
"There is hardly any need for it (handing over the probe to the CBI) as the state police are investigating the case in an efficient manner," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
"We are for minimum interference of the Union government in such matters. How can we transfer the (drug peddling) case when our security agencies are working efficaciously," Badal said.
Recently, arrested drug peddler Jagdish Bhola claimed he was ready to name a few state ministers from Punjab, allegedly involved in the drug racket, if the case was handed over to the CBI.

On the possible merger of the Peoples Party of Punjab, led by Manpreet Singh Badal, with the Aam Aadmi Party, the Chief Minister said it would hardly have any impact in the state.
He said the credibility of Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi Chief Minister would be known only after a few months.

"It is too early to comment on the issue at this stage," the Chief Minister said.
On heavy security provided to Chief Ministers and Ministers, Badal said this was determined by the Centre and the state governments hardly have any role in curtailing or increasing it.
He said the central security agencies regularly monitor the threat perception to VVIPs and the security cover was fixed according to that.

The Chief Minister refused to comment on the refusal of Z plus security by AAP leader Kejriwal.