Give list of Punjab cops facing criminal charges: HC

The continuation of tainted cops in the Punjab Police has come under judicial scanner, with the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing the Director-General of Police (DGP) to submit a comprehensive affidavit disclosing the names and details of all police personnel against whom criminal proceedings are pending, but continuing in service.

The direction came after Justice NS Shekhawat’s Bench was told about the reinstatement of a police official after his dismissal from service. It was pointed out that Inspector Vijay Kumar — already referred to in an order dated May 23 — had been dismissed from service earlier but was subsequently reinstated despite being proceeded against under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. An FIR in the matter was registered on October 23, 2023, under Section 7 of the Act at the Vigilance Bureau police station, Patiala. Yet, he remained posted at the Police Lines in Barnala.

Taking note of the issue, Justice Shekhawat’s Bench directed the DGP to file an affidavit placing on record complete particulars of all officers or officials of the Punjab Police who were facing FIRs and still continuing in service.

The court ordered that the affidavit must include the name and designation of the officer, present posting, FIR details, including number, date, offences and police station concerned, status of investigation or trial, any disciplinary or departmental action taken and its current status and the date of reinstatement, wherever applicable. The Bench also fixed August 25 as the next date of hearing in the matter.

The case has its geneis in regular bail pleas filed against the state by five accused in a drugs case. Among other things, the Bench was told that one of the petitioner and his co-accused were falsely involved in the case “at the instance of Inspector Vijay Kumar, who had also falsely involved several other innocent persons in cases registered under the provisions of the NDPS Act”.

Taking up the matter, the Bench on the previous date of hearing had asserted: “At this stage, this court has been informed that the police officials arrayed as accused in FIR dated October 23, 2023, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Police Station Vigilance Bureau, Patiala, have already been reinstated and are continuing in service, during the pendency of the trial against them. This court is shocked to know that in the FIR, serious allegations have been levelled with regard to the demand and acceptance of huge bribe by the police officials.”