Fake Police encouter 18 years ago fresh evidence!

18 yrs on parents get evidence, seek relief

Chandigarh, May 15

Nearly 18 years after an ITI student was eliminated by the cops near Khanna,
his parents have now gathered evidence in support of their contention that
the killing was staged.

They have finally managed to procure, through the Right to Information (RTI)
Act, a copy of an inquiry report that was allegedly kept under cover for so
many years.

Armed with the report, Krishan Singh and Harbans Kaur of Fathegarh Sahib
have moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking a compensation of Rs 5
lakh for the killing of their 19-year-old son Baljit Singh in a fake
encounter on June 14, 1990.

In their petition, placed before the high court division Bench of Justice
M.M. Kumar and Justice Sabina, the two have claimed: Bare perusal of the
report makes it crystal clear that their son was innocent and killed by the
respondent police officials in a fake encounter. The petitioners have added
the Punjab government had asked the Ludhiana deputy commissioner to conduct
an inquiry after the media and the political parties highlighted the matter.

A report in the matter was submitted to the authorities concerned, but its
contents were not made public. Though time and again they contacted the
powers that be for procuring a copy of the report, it was not handed over to
them.

Even efforts to procure the information through the RTI Act did not prove
beneficial, initially. An application was moved on May 30, 2007, for the
report. But the DC concerned said it had been submitted to the Home
Department.

The petitioner then approached the Home Department. But, nothing came out of
it. Eventually, the petitioner moved the Appellate Commission; and on its
directions the report was handed over to them.

Going into the background of the matter, the petitioners added Baljit Singh
and friend were riding a scooter when they were apprehended by the
respondent police officers near Kotla Ajmer village. The two were, on the
direction of then DSP Paramraj Singh, shot. They were then declared dreaded
terrorist.

The entire drama was enacted for promotions, the petitioners alleged. Taking
up the petition, the Bench today issued notice of motion to the State of
Punjab and the respondent police officials. The case will now come up for
hearing on May 27.