Fake Encounter Case: 18 Yrs On Parents Get Evidence, Seek Relief

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[b]Fake Encounter Case

18 yrs on parents get evidence, seek relief[/b]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080516/punjab1.htm#4

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

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.