PRESS-RELEASE 19-06-09

PRESS-RELEASE 19-06-09
Acting on my complaint submitted below, the DGP Punjab Sh. K.K Attri has ordered an inquiry by the Crime Branch of Punjab Police to look into the ongoing political victimization drive in Bholath constituency.
To, Dated:- 12-06-09

Mr. K.K. Atri, IPS
D.G.P. Punjab

Subject: Request for a high level probe preferably by the Crime Branch into partisan working of police in Bholath constituency under a well planned police – political nexus.

Sir,
I have been elected as member of the Vidhan Sabha from 26- Bholath in 2007 by defeating Bibi Jagir Kaur Ex. President SGPC a very close aide of S. Parkash Singh Badal Chief Minister Punjab. Unable to digest her defeat at my hands Bibi Jagir Kaur with the blessings and support from the Chief Minister has launched an aggressive drive of political victimization and vendetta against congress cadres of my constituency beginning with me. The police force including the office of D.S.P. sub Division Bholath and four Police Station namely Bholath, Begowal, Dhilwan and Subhanpur that fall in my constituency have become a handy tool in this vindictive drive. From time to time S.S.P Kapurthala has expressed his helplessness, when I seek his intervention in serious criminal cases being slapped against Congress workers by admitting in private that he has verbal orders from his top political boss meaning thereby the Chief Minister.
Having borne the brunt of such an extreme drive of political vendetta, I was forced to approach the Hon’ble Governor of Punjab for his intervention in the matter alongwith a list of 30 false cases of political victimization. On the directions of the Hon’ble Governor my complaint was referred to the dedicated cell created to look into the complaint of harassment of political opponents through police machinery vide ADGP/Crime order No. 921-26/INV dated 12.10.2007 to function under the supervision of ADGP/Crime. Most of the cases were found to be either false or the accused were found innocent. (A copy of inquiry report of Sh. B.K. Uppal IPS, D.I.G. Crime is attached alongwith for reference).
Serious false criminal offences ranging from attempt to murder u/s 307 grievous sharp injures u/s 326, non bailable offences u/s 452 etc have been registered against our workers with the intention to send them to jail and in turn teach a political lesson for voting in favour of me and the congress. In many genuine cases where congress workers have been seriously injured or have been severely beaten up, abducted or detained, police fails to act. If the police has to register criminal cases against offending Akali workers, no action no arrests are made and the accused scot free. On the contrary, as stated earlier if the police has to register a case against Akali Sarpanches or workers under pressure from either the Election Commission or Senior police officers, a Medico legal report of self inflicted injuries is procured to register cross cases against the victim congress workers in order to force them into a compromise with accused Akali workers.

To prove my point how the lower range police force from DSP downwards are being misused, I am also attaching a D.O. letter written by SSP Kapurthala to the DGP Punjab dated 24.05.2007 on the conduct of the then DSP Sh. Balbir Singh who was instrumental in registering false cases. (copy of letter attached).
I am now attaching a list of acts of omission and commission by the police with cases wise details to show how the police machinery is being misused to intimidate, threaten, coerce and browbeat important congress leaders and workers of my area with ultimate political goal to force people into the Akali fold and to retrieve my constituency of Bholath from the Congress party.
I would urge than an immediate inquiry be conducted by a high level team of the police officers preferably by the dedicated cell of the crime branch set up under the directions of the Hon’ble Governor Punjab to probe complaints of harassment of political opponents through police machinery as mentioned above in my letter. Those found guilty for registering false cases on political directions must be punished according to the law, all those make false complaints must also be booked U/s 182 of the IPC. The police - political nexus must also be exposed to prevent any further harassment of innocent people and justice should be ensured
Sukhpal Singh Khaira
MLA and Official Spokesperson