Book Phillaur DSP for delay in FIR: Child rights panel

The Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has written to the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Affairs and Justice Department, seeking an FIR against Phillaur DSP Sarwan Singh Bal in connection with a sexual harassment case registered against former SHO Bhushan Kumar.

Apart from a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 199 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, commission chairman Kanwardeep Singh also sought initiation of departmental action against DSP Bal over a delay in the registration of an FIR against the former SHO. Besides, the commission asked the Additional Chief Secretary to add Section 21 of the POCSO Act to the case against the suspended SHO.

“The commission be informed regarding the action taken in this regard within a month,” it stated in a letter dated November 6.

The commission stated, “A lapse on the part of DSP Sarwan Singh Bal in playing a supervisory role can’t be ignored. Despite the police station and the DSP’s office being on the same campus, no action having been taken by Bal is a proof of his incompetence and him being in cahoots with the SHO. Despite the intervention of the commission, a case was registered against the SHO under the POCSO Act after two months on October 23, which is a serious lapse on part of the DSP. The officer was also not present when the commission members met officials on October 31.”

Three FIRs of sexual harassment were registered against Kumar (on October 14, 23 and 24). A woman had complained against the SHO alleging sexual harassment of her minor girl. Another FIR was filed on the complaint of a 22-year-old victim. In the wake of complaints, the SHO was suspended.

Speaking to The Tribune, Phillaur DSP Sarwan Singh Bal said, “My office is very far from the police station. Neither any complaint was made to me nor did the victim approach me. The case came to my notice only through the viral videos and media reports after which immediate action was initiated.”

Jalandhar SSP Harvinder Singh Virk said, “I haven’t received the commission’s letter yet. But requisite action will be initiated after due verification.”