LI Network
Published on: January 1, 2024 at 21:55 IST
The Punjab and Haryana High Court have criticized prison authorities for presenting what appeared to be a false affidavit concerning an inmate allegedly being assaulted.
The Additional Director General of Police (Prison) confessed that the inquiry conducted by the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons was not fair or comprehensive.
During prior proceedings, the Court observed CCTV footage that suggested an individual was indeed being assaulted by jail officials. This contradicted the prison authority’s affidavit denying any such incident. Consequently, the Court summoned the ADGP (Prison) and the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons.
The ADGP (Prison) stated in an affidavit that the DIG’s inquiry was flawed and insufficient. A fresh investigation was ordered, appointing Roop Kumar Arora, Inspector General of Prisons, Punjab, to delve into the matter accurately.
This new investigation found that jail officials, including Assistant Superintendent Chaman Lal, Wardens Keshav Bawa, Rajanpreet Singh, Rajnder Kumar, Rajinder Kumar, and unidentified others, reportedly assaulted the convict Harinder Pal Singh. The guards allegedly dragged Singh outside the barrack and into the Superintendent’s office during the assault.
The ADGP’s affidavit highlighted the incomplete nature of the DIG’s probe into the alleged violence. It recommended strict disciplinary measures against several officials involved, including Superintendent Joginder Pal Singh and Additional Superintendent Amritpal Singh.
The case stemmed from allegations of mental and physical abuse against Harinder Pal Singh in Central Jail, Hoshiarpur. The Court, responding to these claims, directed the preservation of all CCTV footage and sought a reply from the ADGP (Prisons).
Despite the prison authority’s initial affidavit denying the incident, subsequent footage presented by the petitioner’s counsel contradicted this, showing apparent violence against an individual by jail officials.
As a result of this contradiction, the Court concluded that a false affidavit had been submitted. The Additional Director General of Police (Prisons), Punjab, and the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Amritsar, were instructed to appear in the Court for the next hearing.
Case Title: Harinder Pal Singh @ Hinda v. State of Punjab & Anr.