SIT cries foul as Kotkapura firing accused enter prosecution room

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, February 13

After some accused in the October 2015 Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan police firing incidents allegedly entered the prosecution room in the district courts complex here without any authority, the special investigation team (SIT) of the Punjab Police has written to the DGP, ADGP (Intelligence) and SSP, Faridkot, for an inquiry into the illegal act.

It is learnt that some accused, including Paramraj Singh Umranangal, the IGP, the former SSP, Charanjit Singh Sharma and former SAD MLA Mantar Singh Brar, entered the office of the district attorney on January 17 and stayed there for some time.

Asking the Faridkot SSP to probe the security lapse, the team wrote that the accused occupied the prosecution office in the courts complex during a hearing.

They were accompanied by police officials from Faridkot and Bathinda and also some private bouncers.

“Instead of barring their entry into the prosecution office, the police officials on duty stood guard there,” said a SIT member.

“The act clearly shows that the accused do not fear law. This is a matter of grave concern and amounts to tampering with or intimidating witnesses and public prosecutors in this high-profile case,” reads the SIT’s letter to the Faridkot SSP.

In criminal cases, accused are not allowed to have any contact with witnesses or the prosecution.

The SSP should conduct an inquiry into the incident and find out how the accused entered the prosecution office in the presence of police officials, how long they stayed there and what was the purpose of their visit, said an official.

Manjit Singh Dhesi, SSP, Faridkot, said the matter was being looked into.

‘Shows accused do not fear law’

The act clearly shows that the accused do not fear law. This is a matter of grave concern and amounts to tampering with or intimidating witnesses and public prosecutors in this high-profile case. —SIT member

‘Cops failed to bar entry of accused’

Instead of barring their entry into the prosecution office, the police officials on duty stood guard there. —SIT letter to Faridkot SSP

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