‘Punjab DGP saving SSP in hooch tragedy’

CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has asked Punjab DGP Dinkar Gupta to explain to the people of Punjab why he was shielding Amritsar (rural) SSP Dhruv Dahiya, whose alleged failure to act on a complaint against the liquor mafia caused death of more than 100 persons during his stint as SSP of Tarn Taran.
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia claimed that the people of Tarn Taran district had been demanding suspension and registration of a case against Dahiya. “Citizens provided Dahiya with information about criminals manufacturing illicit liquor and even informed him about the registration numbers of vehicles used by the liquor mafia. However, Dahiya refused to act in the matter leading to the hooch tragedy,” he added.
The SAD leader said his party had also brought these facts before the public and asked Punjab DGP to act in the matter. “But it seems the DGP has a special fondness for Dahiya and that is why he is not taking action against him. This is highly condemnable,” added Majithia.
Majithia alleged that the role of the DGP was already under a cloud as far as the hooch tragedy was concerned.
The SAD leader said after Dahiya’s transfer following the hooch tragedy, the Tarn Taran police had taken action on various complaints and raided an illicit liquor unit in which 31,500 litres of ‘lahan’ was recovered. “The hooch tragedy could have been avoided if Dahiya had acted on the complaints earlier. He is directly complicit in the crime and he should be booked, failing which we will start an agitation against DGP Dinkar Gupta for protecting the controversial police officer,” added Majithia.