Probe deaths in jails, says SAD

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 22

The SAD today demanded a Punjab and Haryana High Court-monitored probe into the death of high-profile accused in judicial custody, even as it sought sacking of Jails Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa for the complete breakdown of administration in Punjab jails.

In a statement here, former minister Maheshinder Singh Grewal said the death of 548 kg heroin haul prime accused Gurpinder Singh in the Amritsar jail had raised several questions, primarily because accused involved in extremely sensitive cases were dying in Punjab jails. He said it was strange that Gurpinder had been denied appropriate medical attention. “It needs to be ascertained if this was deliberate and whether there was any foul play behind the death of Gurpinder as is being claimed by his family,” Grewal added.

The Akali leader said earlier sacrilege accused Mohinderpal Bittu was murdered in the Nabha jail after being allowed out of his cell despite express orders that he be kept in isolation. “There was also a case in Ludhiana Central Jail where an inmate died due to mysterious reasons following which inmates who were protesting against this were fired upon leading to one death. There have also been cases of extortions taking place in the Patiala jail where inmates were sodomised by gangsters in league with jail officials,” he said.