Sangrur DSP, 3 cops transferred over youth’s ‘custodial torture’

Action follows inquiry into victim’s allegations; police say transfers made on administrative grounds

Sangrur, September 5

The Sangrur police have transferred four personnel in connection with the alleged custodial torture of youth Mohanjit Singh, taking administrative action as an inquiry into the matter gets underway.

According to an order issued by the Sangrur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) DSP Harwinder Singh Khaira has been transferred, while Inspector Prateek Jindal, Sub-Inspector Baljit Singh and Assistant Sub-Inspector Harpreet Singh have been attached to Police Lines with immediate effect on administrative grounds.

Jindal was posted as the SHO of Sunam City Police Station, Baljit Singh as the SHO of Cheema Police Station and Harpreet Singh as Sunam City Zonal Police (ZP) incharge.

The action comes amid allegations that Mohanjit was tortured in police custody after he allegedly displayed a black flag and raised slogans during Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s ‘Lok Milni’ programme in the Sangrur area on September 2.

Mohanjit had alleged that he was subjected to electric shocks and other forms of torture. Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who visited him at the Sangrur Civil Hospital earlier on Saturday, had demanded action against the officials allegedly responsible.

Earlier, the police said Mohanjit was taken into preventive custody to avoid any confrontation during the CM’s programme. Officials also said around eight cases under serious sections of law had previously been registered against him.

The transfers came after SSP Ravjot Grewal assigned an impartial and detailed inquiry to the SP (Headquarters). Medical records and statements would be examined and appropriate action would follow if any negligence or wrongdoing by an officer was established, the police said.

Officials said Mohanjit had undergone a medical examination before being produced before the SDM, when no fresh injury marks were found. Injuries were subsequently recorded in his medico-legal report after he was admitted to hospital.