New Delhi. The controversy linked to the Punjab Rajya Sabha by-election has resurfaced after Navneet Chaturvedi was released from jail after spending nearly 70 days in custody.

His release has once again brought the episode into political focus across the state.

The case dates back to the Rajya Sabha by-election when Chaturvedi filed his nomination claiming support from Aam Aadmi Party MLAs. Soon after, several AAP legislators denied backing his candidature, leading to allegations that their signatures had been forged on the nomination papers. Following complaints, the police registered multiple FIRs and arrested Chaturvedi, sending him to judicial custody.

After his release, Chaturvedi strongly denied all allegations, asserting that the case was politically motivated. He maintained that the signatures in question were genuine and questioned why no forensic report had conclusively declared them forged. Chaturvedi also argued that if the documents were fake, they would not have been submitted openly at the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat.

Describing the episode as an attempt to malign him, Chaturvedi said he was deliberately portrayed as a criminal due to political pressure surrounding the by-election. He reiterated that he would present his case personally before the court and was confident that the truth would emerge through the judicial process.

The matter is currently sub judice, but Chaturvedi’s release has reignited debate over the political and legal dimensions of the Rajya Sabha by-election controversy. All eyes are now on the upcoming court proceedings, which are expected to determine the future course of the case.