Panel urges murder FIR against cops

CHANDIGARH: The Justice Ranjit Singh Commission has recommended including names of erring police officials involved in the infamous Behbal Kalan firing incident of October 14, 2015, in the already registered FIR for murder. In case of firing at Kotkapura Chowk, the commission has recommended an FIR for attempt to murder and other offences against the police officials.

Two persons, Gurjit Singh and Krishan Bhagwan Singh, were killed in the police firing at Behbal Kalan during a protest against sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib along with others.

One Ajit Singh had suffered a bullet injury on his thigh at the Kotkapura Chowk firing.

Probe role of commandos in lathicharge: Commission

While addressing a press conference on July 30, chief minister Amarinder Singh had said, “The decision to hand over to the CBI further probe into the matter against all those implicated by the commission had been taken to ensure an impartial and objective investigation after registering a case under Section 307 of the IPC (attempt to murder).”

The state government, before including names of police officials in Kotkapura as well as Behbal Kalan firing incident FIRs, is taking legal advice and final action is expected to be taken in a day or two, TOI has learnt.

According to the commission’s report, a copy of which is with TOI, “In view of the evidence coming before the commission, Charanjit Singh Sharma (CW-83 and then Moga SSP), inspector Pardip Singh (CW-80), sub-inspector Arriarjit Singh (CW-21), SSP Bikramjit Singh (CW-65) be named as accused in FIR No. 130 police station Baja Khanna and their role be thoroughly investigated, which has not happened so far.” Earlier, this FIR was registered for attempt to murder, but on the recommendation of the SIT headed by ADGP IPS Sahota, murder charges were added.

The report reads, “Role of gunman of Charanjit Singh Sharma (CW-83), namely constable Shamsher Singh (CW-73), constable Harpreet Singh (CW-153), constable Gurpreet Singh (CW-154) and constable Parminder Singh (CW-155) and also of Inspector Harpal Singh SHO Ladowal needs to be thoroughly investigated as they were carrying assault rifles at Behbal Kalan.”

The commission has also recommended that role of the police commandos for use of indiscriminate lathi charge causing injuries to a number of persons also required an investigation, which has not been done till date. “At least all these persons are responsible for causing hurt/grievous hurts to a number of persons at Behbal Kalan,” says the report.

At the same time, in the firing incident at Kotkapura chowk, the commission has recommended, “It is high time now that the FIR is registered under Section 307 of the IPC (attempt to murder) and other offences made out for use of firearms at Kotkapura chowk. After registering the case under Section 307 of the IPC and other offences, this case be properly investigated by some independent agency or independent and dependable police officer of senior rank from outside the district Faridkot or even outside Bhatinda zone.”

Justice Ranjit Singh has recorded, “Police officers like Sumedh Singh Saini (DGP Punjab); Paramraj Singh Umranangal (IG Police); Amar Singh Chahal (then DIG Ferozepur range), S S Mann (then SSP Faridkot), then Moga SSP Charanjit Sharma (retd), then SSP Mansa Raghbir Singh, two gunmen of SSP Faridkot, who can be identified from the CCTV footage, are held responsible for the action at Kotkapura.

Though none of the police officers named herein before are seen using firearms except for some indication conveyed on the part of Charanjit Sharma (who was seen emptying assault rifle), but some gunmen are seen firing at the chowk.” It has also been recommended that weapons carried by all the police personnel at Kotkapura be examined, including the pistol or revolver carried by DIG Amar Singh Chahal and his gunman. “The assault rifles should also be examined. A case should now be registered and properly investigated and police person responsible committing the offences at Kotkapura be brought before justice.”