Former Punjab SSP, SP sentenced to 5 years in 2007 Moga sex scandal case

A CBI court here on Monday sentenced former Moga SSP Devinder Singh Garcha and SP (Headquarters) Paramdip Singh Sandhu to five years of rigorous imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 2 lakh each, under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) in connection with the 2007 Moga sex scandal case.

Inspector Amarjit Singh was sentenced to six-and-a-half years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 2.5 lakh, while Sub-Inspector Raman Kumar was sentenced to eight years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 3 lakh.

Besides their involvement in corruption, Raman Kumar was also convicted for extortion, while Amarjit Singh was convicted for attempting extortion in the 18-year-old case.

Barjinder Singh, alias Makhan, son of former SAD minister, and Sukhraj Singh were acquitted of all the charges in the case on March 29.

It is worth noting that Garcha and Sandhu later held the position of AIG before retiring from the force, while Inspector Amarjit Singh and Sub-Inspector Raman Kumar were dismissed from service.

The scandal, which made national headlines, involved high-profile politicians and senior police officials extorting rich youths by trapping them in flesh trade case.

The accused police officials took illegal gratification to drop the names of the accused from the statements of two women.

A minor girl was initially granted pardon and turned approver but later turned hostile during the trial. Another key witness, Manjit Kaur, died during the trial.

The high court ordered a CBI investigation in December 2007, citing the involvement of senior police officials and politicians, which made it challenging for the investigating team to proceed.

In 2012, a CBI court in Patiala framed charges under Sections 120 B, 182, 195, 211, 384 of the IPC, Sections 7 and Section 13(2) read with section 13(1) (d) of the PC Act, 1988 against the accused.