Kasauli shooting: SP among 5 suspended

Tribune News Service

Solan, May 24

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday ordered the suspension of five officers — the then SP, Solan, Mohit Chawla;DSP, Parwanoo, Ramesh Sharma; Naib Tehsildar Jagpal Singh Chaudhary; SHO, Kasauli, Daleep Singh; and SHO, Dharampur, Manoj Singh — for their failure to ensure the safety of TCP officer Shail Bala and PWD labourer Gulab Singh during the May 1 demolition drive in the Kasauli Planning Area.

The orders were issued following a Cabinet meeting where the report of the Divisional Commissioner was discussed.

The role of 18 officers has come under the scanner which included 14 policemen.

A departmental inquiry has also been initiated against seven policemen, including an Inspector and two Sub-Inspectors, who had been indicted by the commissioner.

DSP (Headquarters) Amit Thakur has been appointed the inquiry officer.

Commandant, 6th IR Battalion, Prem Thakur confirmed that a departmental inquiry has also been instituted against two constables, who had been deployed at the naka point near Timber Trail Resort, Parwanoo, for barricading the area.

They were supposed to ensure that accused hotelier Vijay Singh did not flee though he had conveniently given the police staff the slip and managed to reach Mathura.

It has been considered as a major lapse by senior police officers.