CBI preliminary inquiry had virtually indicted ex-DGP Sumedh Saini

Saurabh Malik

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 9

Preliminary inquiry conducted by the CBI into the disappearance of proclaimed offenders in the 1991 blast case had virtually indicted Punjab’s former police chief Sumedh Singh Saini and three other cops.

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The CBI had examined 70 witnesses, including Chandigarh, Punjab and Rajasthan police officials. The FIR in the matter was, however, quashed by the Supreme Court on “technical grounds”. Available information suggests the Punjab Police could seek the record during the course of its investigation in the case registered against Saini regarding the disappearance of Balwant Singh Multani.

Categorically accusing Saini and three others of abduction and torture, the FIR by the CBI’s Superintendent of Police SP Singh read: “The inquiry conducted by the CBI disclosed that in regard to the bomb attack on Sumedh Singh Saini, the then SSP Chandigarh, FIR No. 334 was registered at the Police Station 17, Chandigarh, on August 29, 1991.”

“On December 11, 1991, a Chandigarh Police party headed by DSP Baldev Singh Saini raided and picked up Balwant Singh Multani, son of Darshan Singh Multani, from house number 1741, Phase VI, Mohali. He was kept in illegal custody till December 13, 1991, by the Chandigarh Police…”

“He was tortured in the presence of Saini and his men inter-alia to know the whereabouts of Devinderpal Singh Bhullar. Balwant was also found in the custody of the Police Station, Sector 17, Chandigarh, on December 17/18, 1991, in a bad condition and he was not able to walk and talk freely.”

“In the police records, it is shown Balwant was taken to police station, Qadian, on December 18, 1991, by Sub-Inspector Jagir Singh and party for tracing and arresting Navneet Singh and was lodged in the lock-up and he escaped from custody in the night. Whereabouts of Balwant Singh Multani is not known since then.”