Political agenda behind arrest: Sumedh Saini in HC plea

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, August 30

Punjab former DGP Sumedh Singh Saini has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court alleging political agenda of the state government to arrest and humiliate him to gain political mileage in the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

Also read: Sumedh Saini arrest fiasco: Home Secretary, 3 others shifted

Seeking initiation of contempt of court proceedings against Vigilance Bureau officers for illegally detaining him in violation of High Court orders, Saini alleged his illegal detention was carried out at the “insistence of Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, political adviser to Punjab Chief Minister, through his stooge BK Uppal, IPS, office”.

Senior counsel APS Deol and Himmat Singh Deol contended on his behalf in the petition that his 30-hour detention by the Vigilance Bureau had already been held illegal by Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, while allowing a habeas corpus petition filed by his wife Shobha.

“The petitioner remained in illegal custody of Harvinder Pal Singh, investigating officer, in two FIRs registered against him, from 8.08 pm on August 18 to 2 am on August 20, which took more than 30 hours. He was released on the basis of the order passed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 20 at 2 am. It was a political agenda of the state government to arrest and humiliate Sumedh Saini in order to gain political mileage in the forthcoming Assembly elections in Punjab,” the petition added.

It was further added all contemnors were in knowledge of the orders passed by the High Court, granting protection from arrest to Saini and wilfully, consciously, deliberately and knowingly violated the same as was clear from the facts and circumstances. They were as such liable to be proceeded against under the provisions of the Contempt of Court Act and suitably punished for the same.

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