Dy CM defends brother in ED case, backs PRI polls with statehood demand

23/08/2026

JAMMU, Aug 22: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday defended his brother, suspended police officer Vijay Choudhary, in the Enforcement Directorate case against him, terming it "selective targeting", while asserting that the government would not tolerate violence against women and children.
"My brother is someone who has fought against militancy and has survived militant attacks," Choudhary told reporters after conducting a surprise inspection of a government hospital here.
He said despite his brother's service, for which he deserved recognition, he was being targeted and asserted that he would not be intimidated by the case.
"Every oppression has an end," he said, adding that the facts would eventually come to light and those responsible would have to answer.
Choudhary, however, said matters concerning his family should be decided by the investigating agencies and the judiciary rather than being debated in public.
"I would rather leave it to the investigating agencies and the court. I have complete faith in my judiciary," he said.
The ED has booked Vijay Choudhary under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, while an FIR has also been registered against him by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in connection with allegations relating to benami transactions and money laundering.
On the issue of Panchayati Raj Institutions elections, Choudhary rejected allegations that the National Conference-led government was deliberately delaying the polls, but said elections should be meaningful and elected representatives should have adequate authority.
"We have never said we do not want elections. We have said, give us statehood," he said.
Questioning the efficacy of elections without adequate powers for elected representatives, Choudhary said the present Union Territory arrangement left the elected government without control over police and its own IAS and IPS cadres.
"If we make someone a sarpanch or a DDC member, would the officers actually listen to them? What is the point of holding such elections?" he asked.
He said the government wanted genuine and meaningful local elections rather than a symbolic exercise. The administration has earlier stated that the process for holding local body elections was underway and that polls would follow completion of formalities relating to voter lists, reservations and delimitation.
Choudhary also condemned the death of a 15-year-old girl in Kishtwar district following an alleged rape and an attempt to terminate her pregnancy, saying violence and cruelty against children would not be tolerated.
"There are no words to adequately condemn what happened," he said, adding that police had taken action and the government would take all necessary steps to prevent such incidents.
Police have arrested the teacher accused of raping the girl, besides the headmaster of the school and his brother.
The deputy chief minister also expressed concern over the management of a government hospital and directed immediate corrective measures after his surprise inspection.
He took exception to girl students being assigned reception duties and directed the hospital administration to discontinue the practice, saying security personnel or designated staff should instead assist patients and visitors.
Choudhary said the inspection followed complaints of mismanagement and that several issues had been identified for urgent rectification.
Meanwhile, protests continued for the third consecutive day in parts of the Jammu region, including Jammu, Kishtwar and Doda, with demonstrators demanding a fair and transparent investigation into the girl's death and strict action against those found responsible.

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