Security outside the SDJM's court in Mohali where former DGP S.S. Virk appeared on Tuesday.
— Tribune photo by Vicky Gharu |
Mohali, September 11
All those who were present in the court of sub-divisional judicial magistrate (SDJM) Lalit Singla would not have seen such proceedings often when he remanded former DGP (Punjab) S.S. Virk to 14-day judicial custody.
Here was an accused, who insisted on being interrogated and questioned by the investigating agency, and here was an investigating agency, which insisted that the accused be sent to judicial remand.
To add to the amusement, the investigating officer (IO) slipped out of the courtroom the moment his former boss entered as the accused.
Virk was brought from the PGI and presented before the SDJM here after the end of his two-day police remand today. Accompanied by his lawyer, Virk told the court that he was ready to join the investigation.
“I have waited for two days for them (vigilance) to question me. I am fit enough. If all they have to do is ask questions, they can do that now. I am ready to answer,” said Virk.
The SDJM told Virk that questioning cannot be done in the court and it was for the doctors to decide if he was fit enough.
The public prosecutor informed the court that
the vigilance bureau did not want Virk’s police custody for the time being as he was not fit for questioning. He added that once Virk is well enough, the bureau would seek his police remand. But till then he be kept in judicial custody.
The SDJM asked the former DGP if he had any objection to being sent to judicial custody. Following his consent, Singla ordered a 14-day judicial remand for him. He sent Virk back to the PGI after taking on record a report from the doctors that Virk’s hospitalisation was to continue. He ordered that Virk be provided adequate medical facilities and gave the charge of his security at the hospital to SSP Patiala.
Virk also told the court that he wanted to know whether the brief case, that was taken away by bureau sleuths at the time of his arrest, had been made case property or shown as jama talashi. He informed the court that other than some important documents, the brief case had contained Rs 87,000, which he wanted to be returned.
The SDJM directed the question to the vigilance IO who was nowhere to be found. The SDJM asked Virk to give his request in writing and later issued a notice to the bureau for September 13.
The other accused in the case, Vijaypal Singh Dimpy, was also presented in the court after the end of his one-day police remand. His remand was extended for a day as the prosecution wanted to recover certain sale deeds from him. Contesting the extension of remand, defence lawyer pointed out that it is not a case of fabrication or forgery, where original sale deeds were needed. He also pointed out that the jimnis and the statements recorded under Section 161, presented by the bureau in the court, were not signed by the IO.
