Former cop rearrested in 1995 robbery case

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 22

The police have re-arrested a former policeman in a case of robbery that took place in 1995.

Convict Rajwinder Singh, a resident of Nagoke in Amritsar district, was produced before a court today.

In January 1995, four FIRs were registered under Sections 382, 397, 452 and 411 of the IPC against three persons, including Rajwinder Singh.

All three were convicted by the trial court under Section 392 read with Sections 397/34, 452 and 434 of the IPC. They were sentenced to seven-year rigorous imprisonment.

They filed an appeal in the High Court against the order. The counsel of appellants stated that the cases arising out of 4 FIRs registered in 1995 were decided on the same day, but yet no directions were issued making these different sentences to run concurrently. Hence, the counsel pleaded that sentences in all these appeals be made to run concurrently as otherwise all appellants would have to undergo imprisonment of over 20 years.

The court observed: “Perusal of the appeals would show that in 1995, all appellants had indulged in the acts of committing robbery, etc., and in the process had robbed certain gold bangles from shops. In one case, the wrist watch and car keys were recovered from them.”

“The noticeable feature is that the appellants were serving in the police when they committed these offences. If the sentences are made to run consecutively, then each appellant would have to remain in incarceration for over 20 years. This may appear very harsh. Even life convicts would not have to undergo this prolonged period of imprisonment,” read the order of the High Court.

In its order, dated January 5, 2012, the High Court directed that sentences in all different appeals to run concurrently.

Rajwinder was re-arrested only after the CJM court issued orders. He was produced before a court on Wednesday. However, the other two accused had already completed their imprisonment.