On Wednesday, the Mohali Police detained Malwinder Singh Sidhu, the AIG for Human Rights, for allegedly assaulting the deputy superintendent of police (vigilance). The deputy was questioning Sidhu about an ongoing investigation into his alleged criminal misconduct and disproportionate assets (DA) at the local vigilance office.
AIG is accused of criminal intimidation and of employing criminal force to prevent a public official from carrying out his duties. Following the victim DSP Barinder Gill’s complaint, the AIG was booked at the Phase-8 police station under sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Notably, the vigilance had summoned Sidhu thrice but the AIG never joined the probe before. As per reports, Sidhu appeared before the inquiry officer and was found that he was allegedly carrying a voice recorder with him. A senior vigilance bureau officer, who didn’t wish to be named, said that Sidhu pushed the inquiry officer and manhandled him when he was asked to hand over his recorder and phone.
As per VB officials, the probe was regarding a complaint against the AIG for allegedly misusing his official powers and gathering government documents related to Punjab Police officials posing as AIG (VB).
AIG, according to the vigilance, was being probed pertaining to the allegations that he was trying to collect details about the caste certificates of a few officers.
Claiming that certain officers have obtained prominent posts in the force by presenting bogus caste certificates, AIG had mocked the accusations made against him by VB. He went on to say that because he was attempting to expose them, a plot was developed against him.
“In order to put pressure on the department, AIG had conducted a press conference two weeks back alleging harassment by the VB. When he was asked to fill out the DA performa, he tore it and refused to fill it. When he was told to hand over his phone and recorder, he pushed the enquiry officer and manhandled him. He also broke his spectacles”, a senior Vigilance officer said.
Gill reported the event to the local police, and thereafter, senior Mohali police officials arrived at the scene and filed a complaint against AIG at the Phase 8 police station.
“We received a complaint from DSP (Vigilance) that the AIG has assaulted him and obstructed the work of a government servant following which we have arrested the officer. He will be produced before a local court on Thursday”, Akashdeep Aulakh, SP City, said.
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Source: HT
