Stir over FIR against lawyer

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 11

Lawyers of the district court staged a protest against the police for registering an FIR against their colleague on Monday. A delegation of the Amritsar Bar Association met senior police officials and apprised them of the matter.

Complainant Lakha Singh said that on March 8, retired ASI Surjit Singh and his nephew reached their residence in Chabba village under the influence of alcohol. He added that the duo created a ruckus and tried to attack his family with a sword. The duo was later caught by the family members and neighbours who handed them over to the police. “We gave a complaint to the police, but instead of taking action, the police let them go,” he said. On March 9, the police registered a case against him (Lakha Singh) and his father on the complaint of Surjit Singh.

“Surjit Singh, in his statement, claimed that we forced him to drink alcohol and attacked him when he came to our house to talk about a property dispute,” said Lakha Singh, adding that the police took away the duo from their house along with their bike and sword. Instead, the police acted under the influence of retired ASI and booked us, Lakha added.

“Later, when we pursued the matter, the police registered a counter case against Surjit Singh and his nephew. We want the matter be investigated as there is no truth in his allegations,” said Lakha Singh.

Members of the Amritsar Bar Association, including president PK Saini, Gurpreet Singh Panesar and others demanded the cancellation of the “false” FIR. They demanded from senior police officials a thorough investigation into the role of police officials at Chattiwind police station. Under what circumstances they registered a case against Lakha, the protesters said.