City Deputy Mayor issuing movement/curfew passes?

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 11

Some interstate and intercity curfew passes issued on the letter head of Deputy Mayor Jagtar Singh Dhillon have surfaced. One has to apply online for curfew passes on the website of the UT Administration, after which these are issued by the Deputy Commissioner.

When Chandigarh Tribune checked one of the passes, it bore the signature as well the stamp of Jagtar Singh, who is also the councillor from the Mani Majra area. Three photos on the pass had been attested by the Deputy Mayor.

One such pass issued on his letter head mentions “Restricted movement and curfew pass” from Chandigarh to Banda district in Uttar Pradesh with validity from May 8 to May 10.

Another pass in the possession of Chandigarh Tribune has been issued to two persons for the purpose of “electrician/labour” and is valid up to May 17.

Repeated calls made to the Deputy Mayor, who is a BJP leader, went unanswered. He also did not reply to the messages sent to him.

Leader of the Opposition Devinder Singh Babla, said, “It is condemnable. A case under Section 420 of the IPC should be registered no matter whether he is a BJP or a Congress councillor.”

Mayor Raj Bala Malik said, “We are not authorised to issue such passes. Whosoever has done it, it is not right.”

UT Adviser Manoj Parida said, “We will mark an inquiry into it. Only the Deputy Commissioner can issue movement passes.”