Life Imprisonment to then SHO of Punjab Police in a Case Related to Fake Encounter of Two Persons

Mohali, 27 February, (Niel Bhalinder Singh): The Special Judge-I, CBI Cases, Mohali (Punjab) has today sentenced Sh. Harjinderpal Singh, then SHO, Police Station Sadar, Ropar (Punjab) to undergo life imprisonment with fine or Rs. 5 lakh (out of which Rs. 2 lakh each to be paid to victim family as compensation) and then ASI Avtar Singh & then ASI Bachan Dass both to undergo probation for one year with Litigation expenses of Rs. 20,000/- each.

CBI had registered a case on 04.07.1997 U/s 302, 307 of IPC, 25/54/59 of Arms Act against unknown persons and took over the investigation of FIR earlier registered at Police Station, Ropar on the orders of Punjab & Haryana High Court in a Criminal Misc. No.19259-M of 1996 filed by the wife of late Kuldeep Singh resident of Village Lodhi Majra, District Ropar (Punjab). It was alleged in the FIR of Police Station Sadar Ropar that Shri Harjinderpal Singh SHO, Sadar Ropar arrested accused Kuldeep Singh and Gurmail Singh in another case.

Punjab & Haryana High Court

He took both accused for alleged recovery of ammunition/explosives u/s 27 of Evidence Act. Both the accused persons were alleged to have been killed at Sangraon river near Village Bhadal in the cross firing made at the police party by unknown persons. During CBI investigation, it was established that the accused Police officials of Punjab Police falsely shown the arrest of Kuldeep Singh & Gurmail Singh and subsequently killed them in the alleged fake encounter.

After a thorough investigation, CBI filed a chargesheet in the Court of SJMIC, Patiala (Punjab) against the then DSP (D); the then SI/SHO, Police Station Sadar, Ropar; two Assistant Sub Inspectors; one Head Constable and one Constable. The Trial Court found three accused guilty and convicted them. The then DSP (D), then Head Constable & then Constable were acquitted by the Court.