Patiala: Punjab govt on Saturday transferred Sunam DSP Harwinder Singh and sent three other personnel to Police Lines over torture allegations levelled by Sikh youth Mohanjit Singh, who had waved black flags at CM Bhagwant Mann on Sept 2. The action came soon after Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi spoke to Mohanjit over the phone. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also sought an action-taken report from the state govt within two weeks.Sangrur rural DSP Dalbir Singh said Harwinder had been transferred to the Police Training Academy in Bahadurgarh, while inspector and Sunam SHO Prateek Jindal, SI Baljit Singh and ASI Harpreet Singh had been directed to report to Sangrur Police Lines pending a departmental inquiry.Mohanjit, a resident of Sheron village, had waved a black flag during Mann’s speech at a govt ‘Lok Milni’ programme. He was detained under Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS and later admitted to Sangrur Civil Hospital after securing bail.In his complaint, Mohanjit alleged custodial assault, including beatings, electric shocks, pulling of his hair and beard, and desecration of his kakaars. Police have denied the allegations and said he was a history-sheeter facing eight FIRs. They also said his pre-production medical examination showed no fresh external injuries and his dope test was positive.The NHRC action followed a complaint by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh on Sep 4. The commission directed the Punjab chief secretary, DGP, SSP Sangrur and district magistrate to inquire into the allegations, terming them prima facie a “serious violation” of Mohanjit’s right to life, dignity and bodily integrity.The commission has sought details of the legal basis and circumstances of his detention, station diary and hospital records, an immediate medico-legal examination and complete CCTV footage from the police station and other relevant premises. It also sought details of any FIR and the names and postings of all personnel involved.Sangrur SSP Ravjot Garewal said the report would be submitted within the stipulated period and that a police team headed by SP (Headquarters) Sukhamrit Randhawa was investigating the matter.Punjab ministers Aman Arora and Harpal Singh Cheema also condemned the incident. They said a departmental inquiry was underway and the accused officers had denied the allegations.Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj also condemned the alleged desecration of Sikh religious symbols. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Congress functionaries have separately approached the NHRC seeking an independent probe.Rahul hails youth’s courage, says entire Cong with himPatiala: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hailed the “courage” shown by Mohanjit Singh, the Sikh youth who has alleged police torture after waving a black flag at the Punjab CM on Sept 2.A call between Rahul and Mohanjit was facilitated by Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring during his visit to Mohanjit at Sangrur civil hospital. Warring said Rahul praised his resolve to speak against the drug menace and assured him and his family of Congress’s support. Mohanjit told Rahul the alleged assault had damaged his eardrum, Warring said.Warring announced a statewide stir in which Congress, Youth Congress and Mahila Congress workers would wave black flags wherever Mann travels in Punjab. He demanded dismissal and criminal prosecution of the DSP and SHO and said he and Punjab assembly LoP Partap Singh Bajwa would meet Governor Gulab Chand Kataria seeking an impartial probe.
