Advocate moves HC, seeks action against city STF head

Ludhiana: Advocate Varun Gupta, who was allegedly beaten up by Ludhiana STF in-charge Harbans Singh, has moved the Punjab and Haryana high court, seeking action against the cop. The court of Justice Lisa Gill has listed the petition for Monday.
In his complaint to the police commissioner and the STF AIG on February 25, Gupta had said that a day before he, along with his father who was on a catheter and driver, was on way to Ludhiana from Delhi when Harbans Singh thrashed him and maltreated his father at a restaurant near Doraha. The deputy commissioner had ordered a magisterial inquiry by Payal SDM into the matter.
In the petition filed on February 28, Gupta said he had sent a representation to the respondents — Punjab through its secretary, department of law and justice, Punjab DGP, Ludhiana commissioner of police, Ludhiana STF AIG, chairperson of Punjab State Human Rights Commission — seeking action against Harbans Singh and three other police officials who first thrashed him brutally and then threatened to implicate him in a false case if he did not take back police complaint against them. “But I am being pressurized to strike a compromise. Even as the Ludhiana District Bar Association has gone on an indefinite strike, neither any action has been taken in the case nor an inquiry initiated,” Gupta added.
“The incident, which is a clear case of violation of Article 21 of the Constitution which gives us right to move freely, shows that nobody is safe as police can beat them any time without giving any reason. During the Ludhiana District Bar Association protest, several people informed us that Harbans Singh had filed false FIRs against their kin too and that they had lodged several complaints against him, but to no avail,” the petitioner stated.
Seeking directions to the authorities to take strict legal action against Harbans Singh, the petitioner said, “The respondents be asked to place before court status report of the case and ensure that I was not harassed at the instance of Harbans Singh and other officials.”
Meanwhile, the DBA has written to the Punjab and Haryana high court Chief Justice, seeking his intervention in the case.
In the letter, the DBA has apprised the Chief Justice of the STF in-charge’s assault on advocate Varun Gupta. “The members of the bar, who are an integral part of the justice delivery system, look upon you to protect their life and liberty. Kindly intervene in the matter and pass directions for bringing to book the erring police inspector by registering a criminal case against him and keeping him under suspension. A fair investigation in the matter will ensure such acts are not repeated in future,” the letter read.
Complaint to Vigilance Bureau
Advocate Varun Gupta said his brother Arun Gupta, who was in Melbourne, had also emailed to Vigilance Bureau, seeking investigation into all cases registered by the Ludhiana STF in-charge as well as his assets. “Till now, we haven’t received any reply. On Monday, my brother Arun Gupta along with a group of NRIs, will go to Indian Consulate in Australia, seeking action against Harbans Singh and protection to our family,” he added.