Ex-MLA Sukhpal Khaira’s PSO grilled - Reveals that aware of being under surveillance, Khaira used his phone to connect with drug racketeer

Monday, 16/03/2015

http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=126788&boxid=57940&uid=&dat=2015-03-16

Bathinda : The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to conducted in-depth probe in the recently busted international drug smuggling case, on Sunday, quizzed ex-MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira’s personal security officer (PSO) Joga Singh.

A Head Constable of Punjab Police, Joga Singh revealed that aware of being under surveillance Khaira used his phone to connect with drug racketeer Gurdev Singh numerous times, informed Ferozepur Range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Amar Singh Chahal.

Speaking to Daily Post, the DIG, who is heading the three-member SIT, further divulged that Joga Singh was a close confidant of Khaira family as he had remained attached with the family for more than past 20 years. Earlier, he was posted with Sukhjinder Singh, father of Sukhpal Singh Khaira and had continued with Sukhpal after the death of Sukhjinder Singh.

During questioning, Joga Singh confirmed that he was well acquainted with the racket mastermind Gurdev Singh, who has remained the Chairman of Market Committee Dhilwan in Congress regime. Further, Gurdev’s driver Manjit Singh too was well known to Joga Singh as he used to often meet them when Gurdev was the Market Committee Chairman for the latter too having long association with Sukhpal Singh Khaira.

During questioning, Joga Singh disclosed that on March 4, while travelling back from Delhi to Chandigarh with Sukhpal Khaira, he received call on his cell phone from Gurdev but the number was different than the one earlier used by Gurdev and he was able to recognise his voice. Gurdev spoke to Khaira on his (Joga Singh’s) cell phone.

What he could transpire from the conversation between the two was all that Gurdev sought protection for which Khaira had assured him, informed the Ferozepur Range DIG.

Further, it was learnt that Khaira’s PSO admitted before the SIT officials that also a call from UK number (+447778209183) of Gurdev Singh’s sister was received on his cell phone. She too wanted to speak to Khaira.

After reaching Chandigarh, two more calls were made by Gurdev using cell number (8427605084) on his cell phone and six calls during different timings on March 4 and 5 from Gurdev Singh’s sister, all for Khaira.

Revealing the facts, which the Police found vital enough to suspect Khaira’s role in the international drugs peddling case, Joga Singh also added that Khaira too had made a call from his (Joga’s) phone to Gurdev Singh’s sister on her UK number.

Recording all the disclosures, the SIT decided to go deeper to probe the complicities of the case. Meanwhile, the Counter Intelligence officials of the state also launched a parallel questioning round of Joga Singh to ascertain if he or Khaira had any direct or indirect role in drugs trafficking.

Asked about the further proceedings, the DIG Amar Singh Chahal said, “We have been looking each and every aspect of the case with utmost care. There are various more serious disclosures which, having potential to hamper the probe, can’t be disclosed at this stage.”

“Once we complete the questioning of Joga Singh, as it seems, we will have to certainly call the former MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira to join the investigation,” he, however, mentioned.

On the other hand, Sukhpal Singh Khaira has out rightly rejected his role in the crime, with a further attack on the state Police of trying to implicate him in a false case.

It’s also pertinent to mention that while claiming to have busted the international drugs peddling racket few days back, Bathinda Zone IG Paramraj Singh Umranangal flanked by Fazilka SSP Swapan Sharma had informed the arrest of seven others including a female dancer, beside the mastermind Gurdev Singh. And from their possession, Police had reportedly recovered two kgs of heroin, 24 gold biscuits, two fire arms and two Pakistani mobile connections. Later, Fazilka Police on Saturday also disclosed the arrest of Gurdev’s driver Manjit Singh.