Chandigarh: Terming the case registered against peaceful protesters a conspiracy by then police officials in the Kotkapura firing, the investigation team of Punjab police has given a clean chit to the Sikh protesters.
Police have also booked former Punjab DGP Sumedh Saini, IG Paramraj Singh Umranangal, the then SSP Faridkot Sukhminder Singh Mann and former SHO of Police Station City Kotkapura Gurdeep Singh Pandher on the charge of making false witnesses, evidence and cases against innocent people by misusing their powers in this case in case no. 192 dated October 14, 2015.
The investigation team has submitted a separate challan against these police officers in the area magistrate’s court. On the basis of this challan, the court has issued notices to these police officers and directed them to appear before the court on March 23. Pertinently, after the Kotkapura firing incident, the Kotkapura police had registered a case against the peaceful Sikh protesters on the charges of murderous attack on the police.
Terming the police action as a false and calculated conspiracy, the investigating team did not produce a challan in the court against any of the protesters, but instead named the alleged conspirators of the false case as accused and presented a challan against them in the court.
Badals file application to get challan copies
Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal have filed an application in the court seeking receipt of copies of the challan, demanding that they be provided with the copy of the challan immediately through a lawyer so that they can present their case during the arguments in the bail.
However, the SIT has opposed the application, saying that the accused will be legally entitled to take copies of the challan only after they first appear in the court. The court will pronounce its order on the issue on Monday.