JUDGMENT: Three to ten years RI to six then Punjab police officials including present SSP

New Delhi / Jalandhar, March12, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI cases Patiala (Punjab) convicted six then officials of Punjab Police for kidnapping Tajinder Singh (Private Person) in 1993.

The four convicted police officials Preet Singh Virk, the then Superintendent of Police (Detective) Sangrur (Punjab), presently posted as Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar (Rural); Shamsher Singh, then Inspector, CIA Staff, Bhawani Garh, Sangrur; Rajinder Singh Sohal, then SI/SHO, Police Station Malerkotla and Avtar Singh, then HC, Police Line, Sangrur were sentenced to undergo 10 years Rigorous Imprisonment and two other officials Balbir Singh and Ganda Singh, both then Constables of District Police line, Sangrur were sentenced to undergo 3 years Rigorous Imprisonment each with different amounts of fine.                                     

The Central Bureau of Investigation had registered a case on August 23, 1995 on the directions  of Punjab and Haryana High Court. It was alleged that in the intervening night of May 12 -13, 1993, a police team headed by Preet Pal Singh Virk raided the house of one Budh Singh resident of  Sunam (Punjab) and illegally picked up Budh Singh, his son Tajinder Singh and their servant. The servant was released from custody on May 14, 1993, whereas Budh Singh on May 28, 1993 and Tajinder Singh on June 8, 1993. After release, Tajinder Singh went to Calcutta to live with his brother who was residing in Calcutta. A police team headed by Preet Pal Singh Virk visited Kolkata and allegedly kidnapped Tajinder Singh on July 13, 1993. Subsequently, he was brought to CIA Staff, Bahadur Singh Wala, District Sangrur, where he was last seen by his father between July 17, 1993 and July 20, 1993. Since then his whereabouts were not known. In July 1994, a Habeas Corpus writ petition was filed before Punjab and Haryana High Court by Budh Singh. The Court ordered for enquiry by District Sessions Judge (Vigilance) Haryana, who after conducting enquiry submitted his report on January 30, 1995.  Thereafter, on July 21, 1995, High Court directed CBI to investigate the matter.

After thorough investigation, CBI filed a chargesheet against six then Punjab Police Officials in April 2000. Charges in this case were framed on November 6, 2002.

The Trial Court found the accused persons guilty and convicted them.