Suspend 3 cops, probe assault on BJP worker, says minister

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, June 24

The allegations levelled against personnel of the Panjokhra police station of thrashing a BJP worker and his brother and threatening to implicate them under the Arms Act rocked the district public relations and grievances redressal committee meeting here on Monday.

Transport Minister Krishan Lal Panwar issued directions for suspension of three policemen and a departmental inquiry.

Complainant Amit Kumar, reportedly a BJP worker, claimed that he and his brother were on Saturday on their way to Haripur in Raipur Rani on a motorcycle when they were stopped by the policemen. “Since we were not carrying insurance papers, we were issued a challan. Some vehicles, including some riding triple on motorcycle, passed by, but were not stopped. We asked the policemen the reason for this,” he said.

“My brother started recording a video. The policemen snatched his mobile phone, took us to the police station and thrashed us for half an hour. A policeman later helped us and we managed to talk to our family,” he said.

“We were released after the intervention of BJP district general secretary Rajesh Battora. The policemen threatened to book us in a fake case under the Arms Act,” he added.

SP Mohit Handa informed the minister that an inquiry had been ordered and directions issued to seize CCTV footage at the police station. He said appropriate action would be taken after the inquiry report was submitted.

“Efforts are on to complete the inquiry at the earliest. A DSP and inspector are conducting the inquiry. Evidence is being collected and appropriate action will be taken as per the report. There was a naka outside the police station that day. It is being checked who were on duty at that time,” he said.

Ambala City MLA Aseem Goel, BJP district chief Jagmohan Lal and party spokesman Sanjay Sharma raised slogans against the Ambala police and SP. Goel threatened to boycott the meeting and stage a dharna outside the SP’s office if the policemen were not suspended. “Things have gone out of control in the last five months. Threatening to frame a youth in a false case under the Arms Act is not a minor issue. The SP is trying to shield the guilty policemen,” he said.

“The complainant has given me three names. I have taken feedback and given directions to suspend the three policemen and start an inquiry. I have directed the SP to form an SIT in mufti and keep a check on policemen reportedly taking money in the name of checking vehicles,” Panwar said.

SP directed to form SIT

The complainant has given me three names. I have taken feedback and given directions to suspend the three policemen and start an inquiry. I have directed the SP to form an SIT in mufti and keep a check on policemen reportedly taking money in the name of checking vehicles. — Krishan Lal Panwar, Transport minister