Police make U-turn after booking whistle-blower

Ropar, August 31

After registering a theft case against activist Bachittar Singh, who had filed an application against the mining mafia in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the police have done a volte-face and said the case was registered “mistakenly.”

The High Court had on August 11, after hearing the petition of Bachittar Singh, ordered a preliminary inquiry by the CBI into the allegations that illegal check-points were operational near some mining sites in Ropar.

The FIR mentioned that the police received a complaint from Mining Officer Simarjit Kaur on August 14 against Bachittar Singh that he was involved in illegal mining. Following this, the police booked him on August 24.

Bachittar Singh alleged the police were harassing him for moving the court against the mining mafia. He said he had raised the issue of illegal mining and ‘goonda tax’ in the area many times. Instead of taking action against the offenders, the authorities targeted him.

The Mining Officer said Bachittar Singh had lodged a complaint against a few residents of Aaspur village regarding mining. After conducting a probe, she found his allegations were true and lodged a complaint with the police against the suspects.

While SSP Akhil Chaudhary didn’t respond to calls, SHO Harkirat Singh said registration of the case was a “clerical mistake” and Bachittar Singh was only a complainant. — TNS