SC summons Rohtak SP for not arresting Meham ex-MLA

R Sedhuraman

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, April 28

The Supreme Court has summoned the Rohtak SP for not arresting Balbir Singh, alias Bali Pehalwan, ex-MLA of Meham, in a murder case,following the failure of the accused to surrender.

A Bench comprising Justices TS Thakur and R Banumathi also sought an explanation from the Privat (not private) Hospital, Gurgaon, for granting “medical asylum” to Balbir despite the fact that the accused was fit. The Bench passed the order on a contempt petition filed by Sita Ram, the complainant in the murder case, through his advocate Rishi Malhotra.

On October 26, 2013, the apex court had cancelled the bail granted to Balbir by the Punjab and Haryana High Court and directed him to surrender immediately. The Rohtak SP would have to appear in the court on July 8, the next date of hearing.

In a judgment, a Bench comprising Justices TS Thakur and Vikramajit Sen had said “there is a strong prima facie case” against Balbir, an INLD leader, and a “reasonably strong apprehension” that he would tamper with evidence and threaten the witnesses.

The HC had granted bail to Balbir on February 11, 2013, in a case relating to the murder of a person in an Anaj Mandi in Rohtak district on May 6, 2011. Balbir had been denied bail by the Additional Sessions Judge, Rohtak, on March 22, 2012.

In an order passed last week on April 24, the apex court noted that Balbir was admitted to the Gurgaon hospital on April 11, 2014, and had continued to remain there ever since though his medical records showed that he was asymptomatic and comfortable.

“The whole purpose of his continued admission appears to avoid arrest. The pretence of an ailment cannot prevent the law taking its own course. We are in the circumstances inclined to direct the personal presence of the SP, Rohtak, and Dr Munish Prabhakar, Medical Director, Privat Hospital, Gurgaon to file an affidavit and explain the reasons for not discharging him from the hospital,” the Bench said. According to the FIR says Balbir, along with 30-35 supporters, had attacked the shop of Sita Ram who had refused to pay Rs 50,000. In the attack, Sita Ram’s brother-in-law, Vishnu, who was in the shop at that time, was killed and several persons were injured. The assailants had opened fire and used lathis.