Rights panel summons Mohali police chief over singer’s torture charge

Harshbab Singh

Chandigarh, October 22

The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has summoned the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohali, and his team in the case of alleged torture of Punjabi singer Elly Mangat in custody.

The commission directed SSP Kuldeep Singh Chahal, DSP Ramandeep Singh and others to appear before it on November 5 and file their reply on the allegation.

Mangat, who has been levelling allegations of third-degree custodial torture against the Mohali police, had approached the commission recently. He had also lodged a complaint in this regard with the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Punjab.

In his application, the singer also urged the commission to protect his life and liberty. Mangat alleged that he and his family were feeling threatened and he could be falsely implicated in any case by the Mohali police.

He also sought a departmental inquiry against two doctors alleging that they had given false report of medical tests conducted on him when he was in police custody.

Mangat is said to have written to the Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Punjab, and the Mohali Civil Surgeon in this regard.

He alleged that the doctors in question had given false medical reports during three days of his police remand.

Mangat alleged that while the two medical officers mentioned no injury in his medical reports of September 12, 13 and 14, they reported seven clear cut injury marks a day later.

Manjit Singh, Civil Surgeon, Mohali, said, “Senior officials are reviewing the matter. An enquiry is underway. We will take disciplinary action against the person, if any, found guilty.”