Probe in sacrilege cases at Kotkapura, Behbal Kalan intrinsically mixed up

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 4

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today observed that the investigation in both sacrilege-related cases at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan was intrinsically mixed up before asserting that it was desired that the LK Yadav-headed special investigation team would conduct the probe in accordance with the earlier directions and submit an investigation report to the competent court “at the earliest”.

What the court said

It is desired that the special investigation team headed by LK Yadav shall conduct the investigation as per the directions issued by the HC earlier and submit a report on the investigation to the competent court at the earliest. — Justice Raj Mohan Singh

The direction by Justice Raj Mohan Singh came on a bunch of petitions filed against the state of Punjab and other respondents by Punjab’s former Director-General of Police Sumedh Singh Saini, police officer Param Raj Singh Umaranangal and other petitioners.

Justice Raj Mohan Singh observed that the SIT headed by IPS officer Yadav was looking into the Kotkapura cases, while the team headed by IPS officer Naunihal Singh was probing occurrences which subsequently took place at Behbal Kalan/Bajakhana.

The Bench added that the SIT headed by Naunihal Singh was feeling handicapped in the absence of material collected by the Kotkapura team. “Therefore, it is desired that the special investigation team headed by LK Yadav shall conduct the investigation as per directions issued by the High Court in CWP number 17459 of 2019 and submit a report of the investigation to the competent court at the earliest”.

The Bench added that the special investigation team headed by Naunihal Singh would also proceed to conduct further investigation in accordance with law and submit a report before the trial court, whereupon the petitioners would be at liberty to address arguments at the time of framing of charges and seek appropriate order in accordance with law.

Disposing of the petitions, Justice Raj Mohan Singh give liberty to the petitioners to address arguments at the time of framing of charges.

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