DGP (P)'s suspension quashed
By Our Legal Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, March 19 — The local Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal, today directed the reinstatement of Mr Ramesh Sehgal, Director-General of Prisons, Haryana (under suspension), forthwith, treating him to have never been placed under suspension and that he be posted, against the post which he is entitled to as per his seniority in service.

The Bench, comprising Vice-Chairman Justice R.K. Nehru and Mr V.K. Majotra, handed down this order, while quashing the suspension order observed that the interim order would not be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the charges levelled against the applicant.

While posted as DGP (Prisons), in 1996, two FIRs were registered against Mr Sehgal one at Panchkula police station and one by the Special Vigilance Bureau at Karnal police station under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He was placed under suspension on December 12, 1996.

He was earlier direct by the tribunal to file a representation to the Union of India on an O.A. filed by him challenging his suspension.

The Union of India gave an opportunity to the state government to serve a charge sheet, and examine the feasibility of initiating major penalty proceedings against the applicant within three weeks, failing which the applicant would be reinstated in service (which the state did).

The applicant sought the quashing of the suspension order by the tribunal.

The tribunal vide an order dated December 1, 1998, directed the state to complete the inquiry proceeding on or before January 31, 1999, failing which legal consequences would follow. However, the state failed to comply with the order and applied for an extension through an application.

The Bench observed in the interim order passed today that orders passed by the tribunal on December 1, 1998 were pre-emptory in nature and that inquiry officer was proceeding with inquiry in a casual manner. The material on records showed that the state of Haryana and inquiry officer did not comply with the tribunal's order and violated the same, the Bench observed.

Rejecting the submissions of the state of Haryana and without expressing any opinion on merits of the charges which are subject matter of inquiry, the Bench was satisfied that it would not be in the interest of justice to keep applicant under suspension and that revocation of the suspension order will not affect the inquiry proceedings.

Seven held for murder
From Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

HISAR, March 19 — In a major breakthrough the police has arrested seven persons allegedly involved in the murder of six members of a family of Ishwar Singh Nain, sarpanch of Matrsham village.

Mr Manjeet Singh Ahalawat, SP, said five more miscreants had been identified and they were expected to be arrested soon.

The arrested have been identified as Mahavir, Subhe Singh, Balbir, Hanuman, Jaiveer, Mahinder and Kuldeep.

Meanwhile, the police today did not rule out the involvement of the sarpanch in the multiple murder of his family members.

Sources involved with the investigation told TNS that preliminary investigations suggested that Ishwar Singh was having an affair with a woman, which was being opposed by his wife and other members of his family. In connivance with some relatives of the woman, he allegedly mixed some sedatives in the food on the previous night of the incident.

Investigating officials are working on different theories. They pointed out that Ishwar Singh fled from the spot and did not report the matter to the police although he was present in the village till about 8 a.m. while the police had reached the village at around 4.15 a.m.

Meanwhile, the police has finally been able to trace Ishwar Singh Nain. Mr Ahalawat said Ishwar Singh was safe and under police protection.

The police has primarily been attributing the crime to personal enmity. However, other things cannot be ruled out. Sources said the situation was too complex and it was too early to rush to conclusions.

Police officials investigating the case said the two eyewitnesses were giving different versions and identifying different persons. They said while Ishwar Singh had identified three youths, one of whom was said to be from the same village, his injured brother, Chander Singh had identified a former sarpanch of a nearby village.

The SP said the details were, however, being kept confidential, so that investigation was not hampered.

The officials are in a fix as to why Ishwar Singh fled the village. He was reportedly present in the village till yesterday morning before he boarded a truck to Rajasthan. From Rajasthan, he went to Delhi and contacted the police from there.

One of the youths, who was identified by Ishwar Singh, has reportedly admitted that he was present at the time of the incident. According to information provided by him, about 12 persons were involved in the crime.

The police said experts from the Forensic Sciences Laboratory, Karnal, who arrived here yesterday, had found some vital clues. The officials were working on those clues only. Although, the assailants had tried to eliminate clues by setting the bodies on fire, they had left several clues. Blood samples, broken pieces of bangles and the name written with blood might prove helpful, the sources said.

The cremation of the bodies was delayed as they had been sent to Medical College Rohtak for a post-mortem examination. Doctors, who had gone to the village for conducting the same could not perform it as the bodies were charred and it was difficult to identify bullet marks.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal, meanwhile has condemned the murder. He expressed grave concern over the law and order situation in the state and demanded President's rule.

In a statement released from Delhi he said the central government should dismiss the Bansi Lal government.

State Bahujan Samaj Party general secretary Pradeep Chaudhary also condemned the incident and demanded the imposition of President's rule in the state.

Former Minister and Congress leader Chhaterpal has also condemned the incident.Meanwhile, the police has finally been able to trace Ishwar Singh Nain, Sarpanch of Matrsham village, six of whose family members were killed yesterday. The Superintendent of Police, Mr Manjeet Singh Ahalawat, said Ishwar Singh was safe and under police protection.

Although the police had rounded up about 15 persons in connection with the case, no conclusions could be drawn at this stage, the police said.

The police has primarily been attributing the crime to personal enmity. However, other things cannot be ruled out. Sources said the situation was too complex and it was too early to rush to conclusions.

Police officials investigating the case said the two eyewitnesses were giving different versions and identifying different persons. They said while Ishwar Singh had identified three youths, one of whom was said to be from the same village, his injured brother, Chander Singh had identified a former sarpanch of a nearby village.

The SP said the breakthrough in the case was expected very soon as most of the accused had been identified. Some of them had been detained also. The details were, however, being kept confidential, so that investigation was not hampered.

The officials are in a fix as to why Ishwar Singh fled the village. He was reportedly present in the village till yesterday morning before he boarded a truck to Rajasthan. From Rajasthan, he went to Delhi and contacted the police from there.

One of the youths, who was identified by Ishwar Singh, has reportedly admitted that he was present at the time of the incident. According to information provided by him, about 12 persons were involved in the crime.

The police said experts from the Forensic Sciences Laboratory, Karnal, who arrived here yesterday, had found some vital clues. The officials were working on those clues only. Although, the assailants had tried to eliminate clues by setting the bodies on fire, they had left several clues. Blood samples, broken pieces of bangles and the name written with blood might prove helpful but the sources said.

Meanwhile, the cremation of the bodies was delayed as they had been sent to Medical College Rohtak for a post-mortem examination. Doctors, who had gone to the village for conducting the same could not perform it as the bodies were charred and it was difficult to identify bullet marks.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal, meanwhile has condemned the murder. He expressed grave concern over the law and order situation in the state and demanded President's rule.

In a statement released from Delhi he said the Central government should dismiss the Bansi Lal government.

State Bahujan Samaj Party general secretary Pradeep Chaudhary also condemned the incident and demanded the imposition of President's rule in the state.

Former Minister and Congress leader Chhaterpal has also condemned the incident.