Sikh Siyasat News (in English) » Enforced Disappearence

Khalra Case – SCI uphold life sentence for killer cops

Webmaster — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:12:20 +0000

Jaswant Singh Khalra (Shaheed), A Legendary Martyr of Human Rights

New Delhi (November 05, 2011): The Supreme Court of India on Friday, November 4, upheld the sentence of life imprisonment awarded to former Punjab police personnel. These persons were found guilty of abducting and then killing human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who was probing the enforced disappearance of Sikhs and mass secret cremation of their bodies during mid-1980s to mid-1990s.

A bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and B. S. Chauhan said the trial court and Punjab and Haryana High Court orders convicting then deputy superintendent of police Jaspal Singh, head constable Prithpal Singh and sub-inspectors Satnam Singh and Jasbir Singh, who were posted at Taran Taran police station at the time of kidnapping and killing of Jaswant Singh Khalra, were right.

The court accepted Additional Solicitor General Mohan Jain’s contention that the HC judgment enhancing the sentences of the accused from seven years imprisonment to life term did not warrant any interference from the apex court.

Writing the judgment for the bench, Justice Chauhan said the trial court erred in convicting the accused only for abduction as it was inconceivable that they were not involved in Khalra’s murder as nobody saw him after police personnel abducted him on September 6, 1995.

Jain had argued that in such cases which shake the faith of common man in the law enforcing agencies, the courts should come down heavily and impose deterrent punishment on the perpetrators of crime.

During militancy in the state, Khalra was keeping the media informed about the abductions, extra-judicial killings and mass cremations by police. After his abduction and killing, the police had refused to register an FIR. Khalra’s widow Paramjit Kaur had petitioned the Supreme Court, which had ordered the CBI to investigate the case.

Though the CBI charge-sheeted the entire team posted at that time in Taran Taran police station, then senior superintendent of police Ajit Singh Sandhu committed suicide in 1997 before the trial court could frame charges against the accused.

Bibi Paramjeet Kaur Khalra, wife of Jaswant Singh Khalra told Sikh Siyasat Network that it was long and hard struggle to bring the culprits to face justice because of their powerful positions.

Bibi Paramjeet Kaur working hard to secure justice for the victims of mass cremations, the cause for which her husband laid his life.

Justice for JS Khalra but victims of mass cremations still awaiting justice

Ludhiana (November 5, 2011): Yesterday’s decision of Supreme Court of India brought justice for the family of Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra, who was subjected to enforced disappearance for his work on mass level human rights violations in Punjab. SCI has upheld the life sentences awarded to infamous cops responsible for killing JS Khalra. But the victims of “mass secret cremations” are still awaiting justice. Judiciary in India is relunct to take up such cases, apparently due to massive involvement of State machinery.

Mass violation of HR: SSF condemns Punjab Govt’s policy grating immunity to accused police officials

Harkirat Singh — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:12:17 +0000

Patiala (February 02, 2011): The Sikh Students Federation has raised its concern for human rights as the organization believes that a policy of Punjab Government assuring immunity to police officials accused of committing gross violations of human rights would deteriorate the condition. “As per international norms the State is under obligation to prevent abuse of human rights abuse, and punish the guilty; and policy extending immunity to violators amounts to breach of that obligation” said SSF President Parmjeet Singh Gazi, while referring to obligation undertaken by the Indian State by signing Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

“Many high officials of Punjab police were involved in abuse of human rights during the days of militancy in Punjab. The practise of stages encounters, enforced disappearances, custodial torture and extra-judicial killings was widespread and systematic” alleged Parmjeet Singh Gazi, while maintaining that it amounted to “Crimes against Humanity”.
SSF has blamed both successive governments of Punjab and the Indian State for winking at alleged ‘systematic and widespread’ abuse of human rights in Punjab. “The forums established by India to tackle the problem of human rights abuse have failed to address the matter, as no in-depth enquiry is ever conducted, leave apart the question of punishing the guilty” asserted SSF President.

Gazi called upon various human rights groups as well as the civil society of Punjab, and India, to strongly oppose the policy of Punjab Government to protect tainted police officers and rewarding them with high posts.

Human Rights Day 2010: Report of Seminar held at Ludhiana

Webmaster — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 03:48:34 +0000

L to R: Advo. D.S. Gill (IHRO); Dr. Jeevanjot Kaur; Bibi Parmjeet Kaur Khalra (KMO); Advo. Kuldeep Singh Grewal (MCPI-U); Justice Ajit Singh Bains (PHRO); Bhai Harpal Singh Cheem (SFHR); Advo. Rajwinder Singh Bains and Advo. Lakhwinder Singh

Ludhiana (December 10, 2010 – SSN): While observing Human Rights Day, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani) today organized a seminar on “Human Rights and Democracy in Punjab”, which was attended by eminent human rights activists, lawyers, leaders of various political and social organizations, who resolved after considering the views of speakers that ‘systematic and widespread’ violation of human rights is taking place in the state. In another resolution adopted after the debate says that Punjab Government is allegedly misusing ‘process of law’ to target political opponents. The seminar was presided over by a Presidium, comprising Justice Ajit Singh Bains, Harpal Singh Cheema, Bibi Parmjeet Kaur Khalra and Jagjeet Singh Lyalpuri and was addressed by Advocate D. S. Gill, Navkiran Singh, Rajwinder Singh Bains, Kulwant Singh Grewal and Dr. Jeevanjot Kaur.

Rajwinder Singh Bains, senior lawyer of Punjab and Haryana High Court, said that there was no legal base for charging Sikh leader Bhai Daljeet Singh Bittu, Chairman of Panch Pardhani, under infamous UL(P) Act 1967. While claiming that the arrest of Daljeet Singh Bittu is motivated by reasons other than legal, Bains claimed that he was detained since last thirteen months by misusing process of law. He said that police and prosecution has failed to present even any evidence against Daljeet Singh Bittu and his case presents a perfect illustration that how the laws were misused in Punjab against political opponents to suppress dissenting political ideologies.

Advocate Navkiran Singh shared his view on importance of freedom of speech and expression, as one of the basic human rights. While discussing challenges presented the State to this freedom, he also referred to sedition cases registered against Sikh leaders in Punjab.

Advocate D. S. Gill discussed overall political situation of Punjab and explained its’ ill-effects on the process of protection and promotion of human rights. Advocate Kuldeep Singh Grewal discussed that how the successive governments in Punjab have initiated and followed a process to deprive people of their right to disapprove harmful actions of state through expression of opinion or by holding and organizing peaceful protests.

Protest Demonstration by SAD (Panch Pardhani) at Ludhiana on Human Rights Day 2010

Dr. Jeevanjot Kaur analysed the social problems of female foeticide, farmers’ suicide, drug addiction and drug trafficking from the point of human rights and called for combined initiative to be taken at government and social level.

After the completion of seminar, leaders and activists of Panch Pardhani, along with others, participating in the seminar, held a symbolic and peaceful protest in front of DC office Ludhiana and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor of Punjab through the Deputy Commissioner.

Resolutions Adopted during Seminar:

Resolution 1:

It is prime responsibility of the State and its’ authorities to respect and safeguard Human Rights of all, and at the same time, it is also a fact that the State and its’ authorities pose major threat of violation of these rights. At present, in Punjab, systematic and widespread violation of Human Rights is taking place at the hands of State authorities. Rule of Law is being violated and process is law is being misused by state authorities, especially the police and the state has eventually been turned into a Police State. Illegal detentions, enforced disappearances, custodial deaths, misusing process of law to suppress political opponents or those holding dissenting opinions, false charges of sedition and use of other similar tactics are cause of concern for the civil society, as they are resulting in gross abuse of Human Rights. Thus, this gathering of Lawyers, Human Rights activists, students, intellectuals, representatives of various social, religious and political organizations; while strongly criticizing this process, resolve to pressurise the State authorities, through civil awareness campaigns and other democratic means, to end these inhumane practices and restore respect for Human Rights.

Resolution 2:

Cases framed by the Punjab Police against Sikh leader Daljeet Singh Bittu, Chairman of Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani), present a clear instance of misuse of process of law for suppressing political opponents and dissenting political ideologies. In a democratic society no criminal charge should be framed, against a leader, for holding, supporting, furthering and propagating any political ideology for the furtherance of cause of his people, through democratic and peaceful means; for lending a helping hand to the needy by paying school fees of orphans of state-terrorism or for paying counselling fees to the lawyers of under-trials; for organizing memorial gatherings in the memory of those killed in fake encounters or during enforced disappearances or by police and other armed forces of the State or of human rights activists killed by police for voicing for human rights; for meeting the families of victims of state oppression; for organizing religious conferences; for supporting the cause of farmers victimized by forcible land accusations by government for purposes other than common and public purpose; for organizing or helping to organize seminar on social, religious or political issues and for paying advertisement fees to the newspapers for general advertisements regarding political/religious functions. Ironically Daljeet Singh Bittu is charged by Punjab Police under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 for these (“unlawful”?) activities. This gathering strongly believes that he is arrested and detained just for political reasons therefore; this gathering condemns his arrest and detention, and resolve to submit a memorandum to the Governor of Punjab, asking withdrawal of false charges against Daljeet Singh Bittu, and his immediate release.

Resolution 3:

It is democratic right of the people to disapprove any State practise or action by expression of opinion or by means of peaceful and democratic demonstrations or protests. But the State has limited this right to such an extent that it has lost its’ significance. It is derogatory that Punjab Government has framed new laws, and has amended existing laws, that would seriously curb the freedom of expression of opinion. Moreover the successive Governments of the are following a systematic course to deprive people from holding meaningful protests to seek resolution of their grievances or to disapprove its’ actions. This gathering disapproves this practise and call upon the people to oppose it, as it amounts to the murder of democratic values.

Resolution 4:

This gathering considers that every person has right to take birth, irrespective of sex values. Any practise aimed at preventing birth of a particular sex is inhumane and must be disapproved.
The State and its’ authorities have categorically failed to prevent the problem of farmer’s suicide and curse of drug trafficking and drug addiction, which is sweeping away two major streams of the society, namely farmers and the youth. The gathering considers that the prime responsibility lies with the State, which must address these problem and find the appropriate solution. The society also needs to take initiatives to prevent female foeticide, farmers’ suicides and drug addiction and trafficking.

Declare Enforced Disappearance ‘a Crime’: SSF

Webmaster — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:52:54 +0000

Patiala (August 30, 2010): Marking the “International Day of the Disappeared”, the Sikh Students Federation today voiced concern about the plight of persons, and their families, who have been forced to go missing at the hands of State’s security forces in Punjab during mid-1980s to 1990s. SSF demanded that a specific criminal offence of “enforced disappearance” should be created and, by doing so, India must fulfill the obligation undertaken by it under “Convention for Protection of all persons from enforced disappearance (2007)”, while further insisting that, in order to check future violations, all those responsible for enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings, in past, must be brought to book.
“The practice of enforced disappearances in Punjab was followed by security forces in a widespread and systematic manner affecting thousands in numbers.” alleged SSF President Parmjeet Singh Gazi and Vice-President Makhan Singh Gandhuan. They further added that: “in Punjab thousands young Sikhs, who were picked up by the police, are missing; while on the other hand, the records of various cremation grounds of Punjab had revealed that the dead bodies of thousands of persons, mostly young Sikhs, were burnt as unclaimed or unidentified dead bodies.”

SSF has claimed that a working group of the UN has maintained that anti -terrorist activities ‘are being used by an increasing number of States as an excuse for not respecting the obligations of the Declaration on the Protection of all Persons from Disappearance’. “Exactly same thing has happened in case of unidentified dead bodies and enforced disappearances in Punjab.” said PS Gazi, who further maintained that passive attitude of Judiciary has more worsened the situation of Human rights violations. Supporting his argument he claimed that Supreme Court of India has directed the National Human Rights Commission to award compensation to families of 2097 persons illegally cremated in three burning grounds of Amritsar District, but both the apex court and NHRC have altogether ignored the fact that at-least these case also indicate towards commission of 2097 murders (offence U/s 302 of IPC) or culpable homicide not amounting to murder (u/s 304), which need to be investigated as per law.

The Students’ organization has claimed that disappearances and extra-judicial killing of Sr. Jaswant Singh Khalra, Advocate Kulwant Singh Saini, Advocate Surjeet Singh Bhatti, Advocate Satnam Singh Jammu and many others, marks the alarming trend of targeting Human Rights activists and advocates, by State’s forces, about which the concern is also raised by a working group of UN, that: ‘States pose threat to Human rights workers’.

Nabha Case: Police finally showed arrest of Darshan Singh after 13 days of illegal custody

Daljeet Singh — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:27:15 +0000

Nabha/ Ludhiana (February 26, 2010): After almost thirteen days of illegal detention the Police showed arrest of Darshan Singh S/o Gajjan Singh, resident of village Manki, District Sangrur on Thursday, the February 25^th. According to a news published in a Punjabi Daily “Ajit” (Dated: February 26^th)^,the police story is that a person was going on road site near Nabha and police on suspicion stopped and searched him. During search it was found that he was carrying some arms and ammunition. Police took possession of arms and arrested the person, who is Darshan Singh, brother of recently arrested Khalistan Liberation Force Militant (as per claims of police) Jasbir Singh Jassa.

It is interesting to note that the family members of Jasbir Singh Jassa and Darshan Singh were already claiming that duo were picked up by the police on 13 February, 2010 at around 6 PM from their house. Police showed arrest of Jasbir Singh Jassa on intervening night of 20 and 21 February and now Darshan is claimed to have been arrested on 25^th February.

Advocate Lakhwinder Singh Kaliraun, Secretary of Sikhs For Human Rights (SFHR) condemned the practice of Punjab Police to keep persons in illegal custody.

No Whereabouts of Darshan Singh even after 12 Days; Family prevented by police from meeting CJ at Patiala

Parmjit Singh — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:15:46 +0000

Patiala (February 24, 2010): Karamjeet Kaur of village Manki, Sangrur has once again claimed that her brother in Law is in illegal detention of Punjab Police since 13 February. Today she attempted to meet the Mr. Mukul Modgil, Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court at Court complex Patiala to urge him to interfere into the matter but was prevented by the police from doing so. Police asked her not to spoil the show and asked her to leave the place. Chief Justice was in the city to lay the foundation stone of Lawyers Chamber (Block II). The family of Darshan Singh fears that he may be tortured during illegal custody or implicated by Police in some false case or even the worse.

Karamjeet Kaur, who was accompanied by three minor children of the family rued that the police is actively denying to give any information regarding the whereabouts of his brother in law.

“My Husband Jasbir Singh Jassa and brother in Law Darshan Singh were picked by the police on February 13, at around 6 PM. We waited for their release till February 16, as we were assured that they will be released after some inquiry. But when police officers denied the fact of their arrest or detention altogether we contacted Advocate Lakhwinder Singh of Sikhs for Human Rights on February 17.” informed Karamjeet Kaur. “On 21st February Police showed arrest of my husband from Nabha claiming that he is a member of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) but there is no information regarding Darshan Singh till date.” she added.

Human Rights activists Advocate Lakhwinder Singh Kaliraun and General Secretary of SFHR informed that police has claimed to have arrested Jasbir Singh Jassa along with one Harchand Singh alias DC from Nabha on intervening night of 20 and 21 February but Jassa was already in Police custody. He showed telegrams and other forms of complaints made by Karamjeet Kaur to the State High Court and other State Human Rights Commission regarding his detention.

“It is interesting to note that the car numbered PB-10AZ 3472 claimed to have been recovered from possession of Jassa and DC was already with Sadar Police Station Nabha under the orders of Hon’ble Judge T.P.S. Randhawa since February 16.” informed Lakhwinder while showing documents in support of his claim. He added that what we urge is that the police should be directed to follow the due procedure of Law and practice of illegal detention must end.

“It is not a simple matter of wrongful detention; rather it is a clear case of heinous and continuing crime of enforced disappearance of a person for more than 12 days, who is thereby placed out of protection of Law.” said Parmjeet Singh Gazi, President of Sikh Students Federation while commenting on the matter. He added that active denial of facts of arrest and detention by the police amounts to infringement of basic right of “Life and Liberty” as is ensured by Indian Constitution as well as Universal Deceleration of Human Rights.

No whereabouts of two picked up from Sangrur

Webmaster — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:46:20 +0000

Patiala (February 19, 2010): The family of two brothers, who are missing since Saturday, moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Punjab Human Rights Commission, yesterday but there is no information regarding their whereabouts.

The family of Jasbir Singh and Darshan Singh, sons of Gajjan Singh of Manki village near Malerkotla, allege that the two have been illegally detained by the police. The Punjab Police had taken the two of them from their residence on Saturday and they have not returned since. Jasbir’s wife and his cousin Balbir Singh, along with Panchayat member Harjinder Singh are now making all efforts to know their whereabouts. Yesterday they addressed the media at Patiala and it is expected that today they will be approaching high ups in Punjab Police.

The family has also approached Sikhs for Human Rights, an organization working for the protection of human rights, which is now moving their plea in the High Court and Human Rights Commission. Lakhwinder Singh, secretary of the organisation, said the police must define the cases against the two or free them, as their detention was against the law.

Karamjit Kaur, wife of Jasbir Singh, alleged that on February 13 police officers, in plain clothes, entered their house forcibly and took them along without any warrant or legal document. On being questioned, one of the cops, Gurmail Singh, claimed that they were being taken to the intelligence wing of the Punjab Police. On February 15, the police again raided their house. They brought Darshan Singh with them. On not finding anything incriminating, they left taking Darshan Singh along, Karmjit alleged.

Meanwhile, the Sikhs for Human Rights has requested the chief justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to intervene in the matter.

The Punjab Police officials and the AIG of Counter Intelligence Pritpal Singh Virk denied the charges and said they did not know about the whereabouts of the two, but yesterday when during press conference Advocate Lakhwinder Singh Kaliraun made a call to Virk to know the whereabouts of the duo, he told him that investigations are going on and family can approach him on Friday.

SSP Denies Allegations

Patiala (February 19, 2010 – Gagandeep Ahuja)

On the other hand, the Senior Superintendent of Patiala Police Ranbir Singh Khatra has denied that police has picked up 2 youths from Sangrur district and kept them as illegal detention.

He however confirmed that police has conducted the raid for the arrest of both following the lead received from the arrested militants during their police remand. He said that before the police party reached there to arrest them they both have fled from their house.

Khatra said that Patiala police has arrested two thieves Kuldeep Singh and Jagdish singh earlier this week. They both have confessed during the interrogation that they have stole a maruti car from Rampura Phul and sold to Jasbir Singh and Darshan Singh of Manki village of Sangrur district. The same car has been recovered from Sidwan village near Halwar airforce station. A bomb has been recovered from the same car which has been carrying fake number plate, the SSP claimed. He said that there could have been connection between Halwara bomb and the bomb which was recovered from LPG bottling plant at Nabha of this district earlier this month.

Khatra claimed that car thieves have sold the said car to Jasbir Singh and Darshans Singh for merely RS. 40000. A police party has conducted the raid to nab both of them to investigate the matter further.

Two from Manki village in illegal detention since last six days, family approaches HC, Rights Penal

Daljeet Singh — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:30:17 +0000

Family members of Darshan Singh and Jassa Singh Manki with SFHR representatives

Patiala (February 18, 2010): SFHR today conducted a press conference at Patiala and brought the matter of illegal detention of Jasbir Singh and Darshan Singh to the knowledge of media.

During press conference Karamjeet Kaur informed that on February 13, 2010 at about 6 PM some police officials illegally entered into their house without showing any warrant or any other legal document and arrested Jasbir Singh Jassa and Darshan Singh. “Then we called one member Panchayat of village Harjinder Singh who asked the police officials where are you taking them.” she told reporters.

“Then one of the persons proclaiming to be a police officer, but in civil dress, named as Gurmail Singh told them that they are taking them to AIG Counter Intelligence Pritpl Singh Virk and even they have given a slip with their hand written even containing the mobile number of Pritpal Singh Virk. Gurmail Singh gave his number too.” said Balbir Singh.

“On the next day when I called Pritpal Singh Virk on his mobile number to know the whereabouts of Jasbir Singh Jassa and Darshan Singh, he gave me no information.” he added.

Balbir Singh further added that on February 15, 2010 at about 6 AM in the morning the police again raided the house along with Darshan Singh and searched every corner of the house, and they did not find anything incriminating and without telling anything to the family and they again took Darshan Singh with them and till today Darshan Singh with them.

Balbir Singh, cousin of duo informed that from February 13, 2010 till today Jasbir Singh Jassa and Darshan Singh has been illegally custody by the Punjab police where they might be tortured in human manner.

Sikhs for Human Rights (SFHR) has requested to the Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh and Punjab State Human Rights Commission to immediately intervene in the matter and assure that this violation of law and human rights is brought to an end.

Advocate Lakhwinder Singh Kaliraun claimed that illegal detention of Jasbir Singh and Balbir Singh is a clear case of violation of directives given by the Supreme Court of India in D.K. Basu Versus State of West Bengal case.

Gurbachan Singh (70) and his son released by police after eight days long enforced disappearance.

Baljeet Singh — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:26:45 +0000

Mansa (October 24, 2009): In swift action in wake of the various daily Newspapers’ reports regarding illegal detention of Gurbachan Singh (70) and his son Avtar Singh (26), the Mansa police, on Friday, released the father-son duo from Jhandu Ke village. Gurbachan Singh (70) and his son Avtar Singh (26) told SikhSiyasat Network that Jhunir police released them from illegal detention in the presence of Jhandu Ke village panchayat after the media took up the matter. The two narrated their ordeal at Jhunir, Boha and Sardulgarh police stations where they were moved during their detention.

Gurbachan Singh, a retired patwari, said the police wanted to know the whereabouts of his son Jagtar Singh, who they claim is a suspect in the murder of Dera Sacha Sauda follower Lilly Kumar. Jagtar has been missing from his home since the police raids began for fear of a similar fate at the hands of police, he said. On the other hand Advocate Ajit Singh Bhangu, Ex-President of Bar Association, Mansa and counsel for the family informed SikhSiyasat Network over phone that there is no allegation on record against Jagtar Singh or his family members in any case including Lilli Kumar’s case.

As per a news report published in ‘Hindustan Times’, Gurbachan said the possibility of his son being picked up by the police and illegally detained could not be ruled out. HT news further says that Mansa district police officials could not be contacted for comment.

Mansa man, son missing for 8 days, kin blame cops

Webmaster — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:39:48 +0000

BATHINDA/MANSA (October 21, 2009 – Harjinder Sidhu) A Woman of Jhandu Ke village in Mansa district has accused police of keeping her husband and son in illegal confinement for the last eight days after they were picked up on October 14.

In her complaint to the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) and other high-ups, Ranjeet Kaur claimed that after her son Avtar Singh (26) and husband Gurbachan Singh (70) were picked up by Jhunir SHO Jasvir Singh, she was told that they will be released in the evening after some inquiry.

“But they have not returned till date. We have no information regarding their whereabouts,” rued Ranjeet Kaur, who is left with her daughter Amritpal Kaur in the house.

When contacted, district police chief Hardial Singh informed HT that he has entrusted an inquiry to Sardulgarh DSP Rajdeep Singh for thoroughly looking into the allegations levelled by family.

On the other hand, the Jhunir SHO feigned ignorance about the detention of Gurbachan Singh and Avtar Singh by the Mansa police. He maintained that a family member, Jagtar Singh, was reportedly involved in Dera Sacha Sauda follower Lilly Kumar’s murder. “Some other police party might have picked them up for interrogation,” he said, while denying that the father-son duo was in his custody.

The SHO evaded further queries on the pretext that he was on leave.

As per Ranjeet Kaur, her elder son Jagtar Singh was district president of Sikh Students Federation for about two years and had resigned from the post after the completion of his studies a year ago. He runs an education academy to earn livelihood for the family, she added.

Amritpal Kaur claimed that the police were also enquiring about Jagtar Singh, who had fled from the house fearing “police torture”.

“The SHO says he was going to keep my father and brother in detention till Jagtar Singh appears before him for inquiry,” she said.

Meanwhile, former president of Mansa Bar Association Advocate Ajit Singh Bangu claimed that as there was no charge against Jagtar Singh or his father and brother, why the police are not stating their reason to question Jagtar Singh?

“This is a serious matter of infringement of basic right of life and liberty as assured by Article 21 of the Constitution,” he added, while referring to recent directive by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

PROBE MARKED, family moves HC, rights panel

“But they have not returned till date. We have no information regarding their whereabouts,” rued Ranjeet Kaur, who is left with her daughter Amritpal Kaur in the house.

When contacted, district police chief Hardial Singh informed HT that he has entrusted an inquiry to Sardulgarh DSP Rajdeep Singh for thoroughly looking into the allegations levelled by family.

The SHO evaded further queries on the pretext that he was on leave.

Amritpal Kaur claimed that the police were also enquiring about Jagtar Singh, who had fled from the house fearing “police torture”.

“The SHO says he was going to keep my father and brother in detention till Jagtar Singh appears before him for inquiry,” she said.

Courtsy: Hindustan Times (Dated: 24 October, 2009 – P.4)