UT cops not doing enough to safeguard counsel: HC

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 20

Virtually rapping the Chandigarh police for not doing enough for safeguarding counsel in HUDA multiple plots allotment case Harmanjit Singh Sethi after he received threatening calls, Justice Daya Chaudhary of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today fixed 24-hour deadline for cops to update the Bench on the steps taken.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, Justice Chaudhary asserted that Sethi had made specific averments regarding threats he had received. Questioning the police on action taken in the matter, Justice Chaudhary asked: “Are you waiting for some incident to take place?” The assertion came after the UT sought two days time. Before parting with the case, Justice Chaudhary also directed the UT to submit specific reply on the action taken during resumed hearing of the case on Thursday.

During the course of hearing, a short reply filed by DSP Security (Headquarters) Daleep Rattan was placed before the Bench. Among other things, it said the Chandigarh Police had already directed the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (South and Central), DSP/PCR and the Sector 36 police station SHO to take every precaution with regard to Sethi’s security. The Beat Staff and PCR vehicles, too, had been directed to conduct regular patrolling round the clock around his residence.

It was further mentioned that the Chandigarh Police had requested intelligence agencies and the local police to assess threat faced by the petitioner. However, no specific threat has been reported by intelligence agencies and the local police. Notwithstanding, the police are taking all measures with regard to his security.

Sethi had earlier moved an application alleging issuance of threats to him. His plea, apparently, led to unearthing of a racket involving use of Sim card issued on fake credentials. Sethi had alleged that threatening calls were received twice on his mobile number. Sethi had further alleged that he received first call on the afternoon of January 19. The person making the call threatened Sethi to drag him to Bandra (Mumbai) court before ensuring his arrest. Sethi said the person threatening him introduced himself as Rahul from the Information and Technology Department.

In its status report, the Haryana Police confirmed that two calls were indeed made on his mobile phone. But the number was obtained by an unknown person in the name of a Faridabad resident.

Panchkula Assistant Commissioner of Police stated that two outgoing calls were made to advocate Harmanjit Singh Sethi from the number mentioned by him in his plea on the previous date of hearing.