Inaccessible despite Badal’s claim
Monday, 29/10/2012
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121029/punjab.htm#3
Jalandhar : Despite Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's claim that anybody was free to talk to Shruti lodged at the Nari Niketan here, the Jalandhar police continues to deny the media access to the minor girl. “She is in judicial confinement on the orders of a Faridkot court. We cannot defy the orders”, said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Navjot Mahal.
Badal had said at a function in Bathinda yesterday that there was no restriction on anybody meeting Shruti and that she was not being tutored by the police to speak against her parents to save Nishan Singh, son of an Akali leader who was in police custody.
Badal's media adviser Harcharan Singh Bains proved of no help in the matter, claiming he he was in Delhi. State Director-General of Police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini was said to be busy at a meeting. Daljit Singh Cheema, SAD spokesperson, said since Shruti was at the Nari Niketan on the orders of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Faridkot, court permission would have to be sought for meeting her.
Nari Niketan sources said Shruti was in solitary confinement in a guest room on the top floor of the shelter home. “She is not allowed to come out of the room and interact with any other girl. Not even a counsellor has been allowed to talk to her. Police personnel in plainclothes are maintaining a vigil over her. Only a woman Assistant Sub-Inspector attends to her needs ”, the sources said.
