A Mohali court on Monday ordered the release of Jaskaranjit Singh, a Youth Akali Dal leader from Mullanpur Dakha, who was arrested by personnel from the Mataur police station on Sunday on charges of molesting a minor.
The Duty Magistrate has issued the order for release after noting that the police did not provide information to the accused about the grounds for his arrest at the time of arrest. The court declared the non-disclosure of information as unconstitutional and ordered the immediate release of the accused.
Defense counsel HS Dhanoa argued before the court that the police did not inform the accused of the reasons and grounds for his arrest while making the arrest, which are mandatory as per law. Based on the complaint made by the minor’s father, the police have registered a case against the Akali leader under the POCSO Act.
According to the petitioner, the accused took his 16-year-old daughter to a hotel two years ago and molested her. The petitioner further said his wife was living with the accused. The police said an investigation into the matter has been launched.
