Won’t allow kitty biz in Ludhiana, HC told

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 21

Ludhiana Police Commissioner Sukhchain Singh Gill has undertaken before the Punjab and High Court that “kitty business” would not be allowed to thrive.

In the afidavit, Gill said activities like kitty business were not legally permissible. “Instant and immediate action was taken” against the offender on receipt of complaint or information.

The Bench of Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu was also told that the status of cases registered in the Police Commissionerate was examined and necessary directions issued to officials concerned during monthly crime meetings. “Specific instructions have been issued to ensure that such activities are not allowed to go on,” the affidavit added.

It was filed in connection with a petition by Sukhwinder Kaur against the State of Punjab for the grant of anticipatory bail as regards an FIR registered for criminal breach of trust on October 29, 2018, under Section 406 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Dugri police station.

Issuing notice of motion, the High Court, on a previous date of hearing, had observed that the petitioner was accused of running a kitty business, which, prima facie, was not legally permissible.

The Bench had then asked the Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana, to file an affidavit on how such activities were being run contrary to law. In case the affidavit was found to be unsatisfactory, the court may be constrained to summon the Commissioner of Police in person, the Bench had added.

The counsel for the petitioner had undertaken to make the payment of Rs 2.1 lakh to the complainant within a week.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, Gill submitted that records showed that only the present FIR was found to be registered regarding kitty business.

“Since the petitioner has joined the investigation and her custodial interrogation is not required, order dated December 21, 2018, is made absolute…  It is made clear that the Commissionerate of Police shall be bound by the assertions in the affidavit,” Justice Sindhu concluded.