Mohanjit Singh custodial torture: Punjab govt transfers DSP, three other cops
PTC Web Desk: Facing mounting criticism over allegations of custodial torture involving anti-drug activist Mohanjit Singh of Sheron village, the Punjab Government on Saturday transferred a DSP and moved three other police personnel out of their current postings.
The action comes days after Mohanjit Singh alleged that he was tortured while in police custody, including being subjected to electric shocks and being forced to consume drugs. The allegations have triggered a political storm in Punjab and calls for an independent investigation.
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DSP Harvinder Singh transferred
According to an order issued by the Punjab DGP, DSP Harvinder Singh, who was serving as DSP (SD), Sunam, Sangrur, has been transferred to the 1st CDO Battalion, Bahadurgarh, Patiala, against a vacant post.
The order, issued by the Police Establishment Committee, cited “administrative grounds” for the transfer and directed the officer to report at his new posting by September 6.
In a separate order, the Sangrur SSP directed three other officials to report to Police Lines, Sangrur, with immediate effect.
Those transferred are Inspector Parteek Jindal, SHO of Police Station City Sunam; SI Baljit Singh, SHO of Police Station Cheema and ASI Harpreet Singh, in-charge of ZP City Sunam.
Mohanjit Singh alleges custodial torture
The controversy began after Mohanjit Singh was taken into custody on September 2 following an incident during Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s Lok Milni programme in Sheron village.
Singh was allegedly detained after displaying a black flag and raising slogans during the event, which was organised as part of the Punjab Government’s anti-drug campaign.
After his detention, Singh alleged that he was subjected to severe treatment in custody. His allegations include claims of electric shocks and being forcibly made to consume drugs.
The allegations have drawn strong reactions from opposition parties.
Punjab Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, visited Singh at Sangrur Civil Hospital and sought action against the police personnel allegedly involved.
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal also visited Singh at the hospital and criticised the handling of the matter.
Bajwa and Warring have separately approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), seeking an independent and time-bound investigation.
The Council of Lawyers has also written to the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, requesting suo motu cognisance of the allegations. It has warned of filing a public interest litigation if action is not taken within the stated timeframe.
Police order departmental probe
The Sangrur police have initiated a departmental inquiry into the allegations. The police, however, have maintained that Singh was taken into custody as a preventive measure. Officials said he was medically examined before being produced before the SDM and that no fresh injury marks were found during the examination.
The police have also stated that around eight cases involving serious legal sections had earlier been registered against Singh.
- PTC NEWS
