HC notice to Umranangal on state’s plea against bail

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 18

Just 10 days after the state and its functionaries were directed to give seven days’ prior notice in case Paramraj Singh Umranangal was required for interrogation in cases related to mob violence and firing at Behbal Kalan and other incidents of sacrilege, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice to the senior police officer.

The notice by Justice Ramendra Jain came on an application moved by the state for recalling the order. As the matter came up for hearing, Additional Advocate-General Rameeza Hakeem claimed that the state was required to be heard in the matter.

Umranangal was arrested by the Punjab Police about a fortnight ago after his name figured in the sacrilege matter. Just about three years after the police fired at Sikhs peacefully protesting in Kotkapura against the incidents of sacrilege, the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission of inquiry had indicted Umranangal and other police officers. It ruled that the use of force at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan was unwarranted, uncalled for and not needed at all.

The firing at Kotkapura took place between 6 am and 7 am on October 14, 2015. In its report to be tabled before the Vidhan Sabha, Justice Ranjit Singh asserted the responsibility of action at Kotkapura to forcefully evict the protestors sitting on peaceful dharna squarely lied with the police.

Justice Ranjit Singh said the incident of sacrilege was such that the public was bound to react in the manner it did. In any case, it was not unusual for the public to sit on a dharna to protest. The compulsion on the part of the police to act was due to pressure from the government.