12 HP cops indicted, service perks clipped

Tribune News Service

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Shimla, January 29

Acting on a departmental inquiry indicting 12 police personnel for dereliction of duty in the 2018 Assistant Town Planner murder case, the police department has curtailed service benefits to the erring cops by five years.

On May 1, 2018, Assistant Town Planner Shail Bala (51) was heading a squad for demolition of illegal construction at a Kasauli hotel in Solan district in compliance with the Supreme Court orders when she along with a Public Works Department employee was shot by its owner Vijay Kumar.

While Bala died on the spot, PWD employee Gulab Singh succumbed to his injuries on way to the PGI, Chandigarh.

Kumar fled the scene despite a posse of police and quick reaction team (QRT) at the scene. He was arrested from Mathura two days later.

The inquiry revealed that the Kasauli SHO, who was present at the spot, was without his service weapon, while Dharampur SHO had not even applied for one. Further, police at the Parwanoo barrier failed to intercept the suspect, while other police personnel at the crime scene did not act promptly, sources in the police department said.

The curtailment of service benefits implies their promotion will be deferred for five years. While they will retire at the age of 58, the service rendered during the past five years will not be counted for retirement benefits. The policemen indicted include an Inspector, two Assistant Sub-Inspectors, two head constables and seven constables.

The Supreme Court had on April 17, 2018, directed the state government to demolish illegal constructions within 15 days and Shail Bala was shot dead when she entered the premises of Narayani hotel. Kumar was an employee of Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board.

The policemen indicted include an Inspector, two ASIs, two head constables and seven constables.