Tarn Taran case probe to be delayed by a month
Sunday, 26/05/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130526/punjab.htm#1
Jalandhar : An administrative inquiry into the March 3 incident of the alleged thrashing of a Tarn Taran woman by the police is likely to be delayed by a month. Inquiry officer-cum-Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, SR Ladhar, who was given 10 days to investigate the matter on April 12, said he had sought one month's time to prepare the report and the government had accepted his request.
"It is a sensitive matter. There were scores of witnesses who have been taken on record. Two taxi operators and three policemen, who are lodged in jail, were also called to give statements. Evidences have been incorporated and site visits have been conducted," Ladhar said.
He added: "Various missing links in the case have been established in the inquiry. I have even issued a public notice on the matter saying if there are still some people who want to depose in the case, they could come and see me in my office. I do not want to hasten the matter and leave anyone unheard".
The officer might be going slow keeping in view that the Supreme Court has already rejected the inquiry report of Tarn Taran District Magistrate. The state had then submitted that it would act against the erring policemen and ordered an inquiry by Ladhar.
During the investigation, Ladhar summoned the 19-year-old victim girl, her father Kashmir Singh, brother Gurinder Singh, sister-in-law Charanjit Kaur and cousin Jagjit Singh, who had made a video footage of the incident held during a wedding function on March 3. The bride's father, Satpal Singh, an eyewitness, and a policeman, is not siding with the victim.
The victim had also alleged she was getting threat calls from agents of the accused.
