Sandeep joins probe by SIT, stays for 7 hrs

Chandigarh: Former Haryana sports minister Sandeep Singh, who is accused of harassing a woman coach, on Sunday appeared before Chandigarh Police SIT which is probing the case.
The SIT had served him a notice and told to join investigation at 11am on Sunday. Sandeep and his advocate reached Sector 26 police station around 11.30am. The SIT questioned him in the police station till 7 pm. It also seized two mobile phones from Sandeep.
The former hockey player-turned-politician’s lawyer said he also gave documentary evidence to the police supporting his innocence. Police had served notice to Sandeep on Saturday to join the investigation, said the advocate
In related news, the committee formed by Haryana DGP to probe into the allegations of sexual harassment against Sandeep Singh is said to have slowed down. Sources said the speed of the probe had slowed especially after registration of a criminal case against Sandeep by Chandigarh Police.
As per information, after questioning the staff of the Haryana DGP and the staff attached with MoS Sandeep Singh at his residence here, the committee had not proceeded further.
Sources, however, claim that the committee shall continue, but the mandate will be redefined after all the members sit together. “Firstly, the committee was constituted much before the registration of the case by the Chandigarh Police. Since the case has been registered and investigations are in progress, there is no point probing those issues. Now, the mandate is to be limited to lapses and administrative wrongs as it appeared to be. Hence, the mandate needs to be redefined,” said an official privy to the development.
“Moreover, no immediate relief or action is being mandated. Hence, the committee shall take its own course in the probe,” said the official.
Notably, the probe panel is led by ADGP Mamta Singh, who heads the Rohtak police range. The other members of the committee are Sumer Partap Singh, DCP, Panchkula and Raj Kumar Kaushik, ACP, Panchkula district.
The committee was constituted on the directions of Haryana DGP PK Agrawal, who had reasoned the request from Sandeep Singh and other allegations highlighting administrative lapses levelled by the victim.
The committee had been in the firing line of the opposition and the victim. The coach had reportedly expressed dismay over deposing before the committee, while the opposition had termed the setting up of the committee as a move to favour Sandeep Singh.