Attari assault: Cops go ‘soft’ on accused, SC panel takes note

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 27

The police action against a group of Jat community leaders led by an Akali sarpanch and a police constable, who allegedly attacked the families of the reserved category at Achint Kot village in Attari block yesterday, has come under the scanner. A case under “mild” Sections of the IPC has been registered against them.

Taking cognisance of it, the National SC Commission has summoned administrative and police officials to produce the action-taken report.

The police — while registering the FIR — also overlooked the alleged molestation of a woman during the attack. It was alleged that the wife of a victim was dragged out of the washroom when she was taking a bath and was allegedly hit indiscriminately by the assailants.

The name of a constable (munshi) attached with the Khasa police station and an aide of the Akalis, Zorawar Singh, has figured in the FIR. Understandably, he should have been placed under suspension, but the police were waiting for him to rejoin duty as he was on two months’ earned leave. Zorawar is still out of reach.

The victims claimed that Zorawar Singh was present with the attacking mob. The victims have a mobile video clip of the incident as proof.

Around six persons were grievously injured in the attack. Besides Zorawar Singh, the police have booked seven others, including Sarpanch Amrik Singh under Sections 323, 324, 148, 149, 506 IPC and 3-4 of the SC/ST Act.

National SC Commission vice-chairman Raj Kumar Verka has told the police to include Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 452 (house-trespass after preparation to hurt, assault) against the culprits.

“The DC, IG (border range) and SSP (rural) have been summoned on May 30 with the action-taken report. It is quite disturbing that serious crimes like molesting a woman and house trespassing were ignored by the police,” Verka said.

SSP (rural) Jasdeep Singh said that the case was registered as per the initial statements submitted by the victims, but other relevant Sections of the IPC could be added once the medico-legal report was received.

“As the victims did not mention the molestation of the woman in their statement, it was not made part of the case. But it could be included as the investigation is still under way,” he said.

About Zorawar Singh’s involvement, the SSP said that since he was on long leave, he — by norms — was on the rolls at the Police Lines.

“His name has been included in the FIR. As per norms, if a police employee is involved in a criminal activity and remains in judicial custody for more than 48 hours, only then he can be suspended. Presently, he is absconding. We are looking for him. His brother Harjit Singh, who is also a panchayat member, has been rounded up along with eight persons in the case,” he said.