The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which certain police investigations involving advocates were being handled in Punjab and Haryana, while directing senior officers to personally supervise inquiries and submit reports before the court.
Hearing a bunch of applications in an ongoing public interest matter, the Division Bench of Justice Sandeep Moudgil and Justice Rupinderjit Chahal observed that the progress made in one of the investigations “does not inspire confidence” and noted that certain investigative steps appeared to have been taken only after intervention by the court. Among others, Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association president Rohit Sud was present during the proceedings.
Ambala advocate’s allegations of custodial abuse
One of the matters before the Bench concerned allegations by an advocate practising in Ambala district that he and his family were assaulted and humiliation by police officials of Mullana police station after they approached the police regarding a land matter.
The court recorded the applicant-advocate’s allegations that police officials misbehaved with the family, used caste-related remarks and subjected them to inhuman treatment. The applicant further alleged before the court that he and his family members were confined in a lock-up, their clothes were removed and they were beaten with sticks.
The Bench also noted allegations that one police official allegedly placed his revolver before the advocate and threatened him to lick his shoe. The allegations arose following a dispute over construction activity on land belonging to the advocate’s uncle in Ambala district. According to the proceedings, the family alleged that certain persons attacked them during construction work despite an earlier compromise between the parties, following which calls were made to the police.
FIR against police officials; IGP probe
During the hearing, Haryana placed before the court an affidavit stating that an FIR had already been registered against two police officials under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and that the investigation was under way. The affidavit further disclosed that the Inspector General of Police, Ambala Range, had been directed to conduct a personal inquiry into the allegations in view of observations made earlier by the High Court.
“Expecting the assurance furnished by the senior police officer to be bona fide and with an intent to act fairly, transparently and in accordance with law while conducting the inquiry into the allegations levelled by a member of the District Bar Association, Ambala, it is incumbent upon the Director-General of Police, Haryana, to furnish before this Court the report submitted by the Inquiry Officer, namely the Inspector General of Police, Ambala Range, Ambala, on the next date of hearing,” the Bench asserted.
Whistle-blower allegations by advocate
In another application, an advocate sought intervention alleging victimisation after he raised allegations of corruption against certain “officers of the Government of Haryana”, including two officers of Haryana Power Department. The court granted him time to file an affidavit elaborating upon his credentials and role as a whistle-blower, while directing Haryana to file a reply through an affidavit of the Commissioner of Police, Panchkula.
Mohali matter: security ordered for advocate
The Bench also dealt with allegations and counter-allegations involving an advocate and the Mohali police in connection with a firing incident. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohali, informed the court that the advocate had allegedly contacted the investigating officer seeking leniency towards his cook, who was accused in the firing case. The allegations were disputed before the Bench by the advocate.
During proceedings, a video was also played before the court wherein police officials were allegedly seen demanding bribe money for providing security despite earlier directions issued by the court.
The High Court thereafter directed the SSP, Mohali, to provide “reasonable security” to advocate consisting of at least two police officials, including one ASI and one head constable, during his travel within Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.
