HC raps cops for tardy probe in suicide case

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 20

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has rapped the Punjab Police for not registering the FIR under correct provisions of law and for not carrying out probe in an appropriate and prompt manner in an alleged abetment of suicide case.

The admonition by Justice Anil Kshetarpal came on a petition filed by Harmesh Singh through counsel RS Bajaj. Justice Kshetarpal asserted that the facts prima facie showed that the local police were not carrying out investigation in a proper and expeditious manner.

Justice Kshetarpal added victim Darshan Singh, before dying, gave a statement in a doctor’s presence that he was forcibly administered some poisonous substance by accused Bittu Dhir and his son. “Even after finding that case under Section 302 of IPC (murder) is to be registered, case under Section 306 of IPC (abetment of suicide) was registered,” Justice Kshetarpal asserted.

Directing ADGP, Crime Bureau, to constitute an SIT under IGP, Crime Bureau, Justice Kshetarpal also asked the newly constituted squad to finalise the investigation within six months. The directions came after counsel Bajaj alleged that Kapurthala SSP was pressuring the victim’s brother to enter into a settlement.

Referring to status report dated April 24, Justice Kshetarpal observed that a SIT was already probing the matter and repeated summons were sent to the complainant. But he was refusing to appear. However, the complainant and other witnesses had sent their statements in writing through registered post.