Two ASIs lose job for challaning Sikh girl

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 22

A Sikh girl was reportedly challaned by the Ludhiana traffic police yesterday following which two ASIs were given compulsory retirement.

A startling revelation on the matter by newly appointed Commissioner of Police Ludhiana Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh has stirred a fresh controversy.

Kunwar alleged that an IG-rank officer hatched a conspiracy to replace him as Ludhiana CP. As part of the alleged plan, a Sikh girl was challaned by the traffic police and the matter was taken to the office of the Chief Minister and the DGP.

Kunwar said two SP-rank officers, who were transferred from Ludhiana, also connived with the IG to remove him from Ludhiana.

Compulsory retirement was given to ASIs Kulwinder Singh (48) and Davinder Singh (55) for challaning the girl, and to head constable Neelkanth (40) over corrupt practices.

After taking the charge on March 16, Kunwar had issued orders that the traffic police would not issue any challan for a month as a goodwill gesture and to create awareness about traffic rules.

“Despite my orders, two ASIs, in connivance with the IGP and two SPs, challaned a Sikh girl at a naka at Ghumar Mandi. Later, the matter was deliberately raised at the higher level to give an impression that I am against Sikhs,” Kunwar told The Tribune.

“In 2014, I was asked to join as Ludhiana CP. But due to the said IG, my posting orders were reversed. Now, he is again trying to replace me. I have already apprised the DGP of the matter. I will expose them in coming days,” he alleged.

ASI Kulwinder Singh claimed that he had put up the naka on the directions of ADCP (Traffic) Dhruv Dahiya. When asked, Dahiya claimed that he had briefed all traffic cops not to put up any naka for a month.