Startling claims of illegal detention, implication and torture have unfolded themselves in a petition filed by an former Deputy Commandant with the Border Security Force.
Harprit Singh of Gurdaspur district — now detained in Amritsar Central Jail — has, in effect, sought the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s intervention in marking an inquiry to the Gurdaspur District and Sessions Judge into the allegations of illegal detention and third degree torture.
Harprit Singh has alleged he was illegally detained and tortured from January 30 last year to February 2, 2010. Directions have also been sought for ordering a probe into the “conduct of the doctor, who medically examined the petitioner on February 3, 2010, and gave a false report on the petitioner having no external injuries at the time of his medical examination”.
Taking up the petition filed through counsel Navkiran Singh, the High Court has already issued notice of motion to the State of Punjab and other respondents.
Giving details, Harprit Singh has asserted that he was implicated in an FIR dated February 2, 2010, registered under the provisions of the NDPS Act at special operation cell, Amritsar.
Prior to his “implication”, Navkiran Singh said the petitioner was taken in custody from his residence at Tharial village on January 30, 2010, by the Pathankot police. The information on his abduction was flashed to the state DGP the very next day by his father-in-law. His wife also shot off a telegram to the state Chief Minister.
He added: “The petitioner was illegally detained by Batala police and was tortured and, thereafter, handed over to the special operation cell, Amritsar, which falsely implicated the petitioner by showing him to be in possession of 1 kg heroin”.
Navkiran Singh asserted: “The complaint made to the Human Rights Commission would show how in a brutal manner the petitioner was tortured in illegal custody and how even the doctor who initially examined the petitioner joined hands with the police to give a fake certificate of the petitioner being in good health.
“The case brings to light the sadistic manner in which the police behaves with the citizens and such illegal actions have been reprimanded by the Supreme Court and this Court…
“But, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission failed to protect the human rights of the petitioner as enshrined under Article 21 of Constitution of India”.
The case file
BSF ex-Deputy Commandant Harprit Singh has alleged that he was framed in a case under the NDPS Act, illegally detained and given third degree torture
Now detained in Amritsar Central Jail, he wants the HC to mark an inquiry to the Gurdaspur District and Sessions Judge for a probe into the allegations
A probe has also been sought into the ‘conduct of the doctor who medically examined the petitioner and gave a “false” report on the petitioner having no external injuries’
For its part, the High Court has issued notice of motion to the State of Punjab and other respondents.
News source: Tribune
