DC backs plea seeking handcuffing of accused

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Pathankot, August 16

The Pathankot Deputy Commissioner (DC), Ramvir, has supported his district police chief’s plea on handcuffing all seven accused in the Kathua rape and murder case.

Last week, SSP Vivek Sheel Soni had moved an application through special public prosecutors (SPP) Santokh Singh Basra and Jagdeeshwar Kumar Chopra, urging the judge to pass an order to handcuff the accused.

The judge had sought details from the DC about the nature of security being provided to the accused by the district police. “Details were sought from the DC because he is deemed to be the administrative head of the police. It is the overall responsibility of the DC to ensure law and order in the district through the SSP,” said Chopra.

The DC on Thursday filed his reply to the Judge’s query through the SPPs. “In his reply, the DC said he supported the SSP’s view that the case was serious and sensitive in nature and involved a heinous crime. It was said since the accused travel daily from Gurdaspur Central Jail, where they are lodged, to Pathankot, it is of utmost necessity to handcuff them,” claimed Chopra.

Basra said the judge would pass an order on Friday. “The arguments have concluded and in all likelihood final directions on whether the accused should be handcuffed or not will be given by the judge on Friday,” he added.