CBI told to hand over files of 12-yr-old case involving cops to Ferozepur SSP

Tribune news service

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Chandigarh, August 24

The CBI Court here has directed the CBI to hand over documents related to an FIR registered on the basis of the complaint of Patwari Mohan Singh against eight police officers to the Ferozepur SSP.

Out of these two officers were SSP rank, one SP and an inspector working in the Punjab Vigilance Bureau.

In the FIR the complainant alleged he was framed in the false case by an SSP-ranked officer. He alleged he was also subjected to inhuman behaviour.

The Court has passed the order on an application filed by the Ferozepur SSP. In the application, Ferozepur SSP said the CBI has taken the whole original record of the investigation of FIR No. 184 dated August 23, 2012, registered under Sections 167, 211, 355, 193, 377, 511, 295 and 120B (Section 195 of the IPC added later) at the Sadar police station in Ferozepur.

He said all the original records, including the FIR, inquiry reports, diaries, correspondence and statements of witnesses and notices issued to various persons, were taken by the CBI while investigating an alleged bribery case.

He said that without the documents, there was no possibility of further investigation or presenting the challan before the magistrate in the case.

Therefore, he prayed before the Court to issue a direction to the CBI to hand over the documents.

The CBI, in its reply, said it had registered a case under Section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, on August 14, 2018 in Chandigarh, against the suspect, Ashok Goyal, a private person. It said after registration of the case, a trap was laid at Ludhiana and the suspect was caught red-handed by CBI officials. During the investigation, searches were conducted and various documents were seized, including a case file, which was later cited as relied upon documents in the present case.

The CBI said the document was relevant and essential for the prosecution in the present case. Thus, it may not be returned to the applicant.

After hearing the arguments, Alka Malik, Special Judge, CBI Court, Chandigarh, said the original complete file, i.e., the FIR, inquiry report(s), diaries, correspondence, statements of witnesses and notices issued to various persons, are ordered to be returned to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Ferozepur.