In their statement to police on January 9, the women had leveled serious allegations against Cheema after a dramatised expose. They had invited mediapersons at Cheema’s house, when he was out. Police had taken down the names, father’s name and addresses of the women at the time of their medical examination.

An investigating officer said police are now exploring the angle of an ulterior motive behind “framing” Cheema. Police, however, played it safe saying the women may have given the wrong addresses fearing identification.

Police are yet to trace Tejpal Cheema. Sources said certain Punjab politicians have approached senior police officers asking them to go slow on the case and ascertain the “truth” before initiating action against Cheema.

Meanwhile, Cheema’s friends and acquaintances expressed their ignorance about Cheema’s whereabouts. Preliminary investigations have also revealed that the women had keys to Cheema’s one-room annexé in Sector 10. One of the two women was had been staying there since the morning of January 9.