Despite CBI orders, police ‘failed’ to provide security

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 31

The CBI had asked the Punjab Police to provide security to witnesses in the Amritsar sex scandal and take action against those who were threatening them, claimed Punjab Congress spokesman Sukhpal Khaira.

The Congress leader released three “official” letters by the CBI, all dated December 5, 2008, and addressed to Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar, asking him to provide security to the witnesses who were being harassed by the main accused. It also asked the police to take action against a chartered accountant who had preparing false affidavits at the instance of the accused, Khaira alleged.

The then SSP Kanwar Vijay Partap Singh told The Tribune that immediate action was taken on the CBI’s instructions. “I had met the witnesses who were offered security. The SHO of the police station concerned was also briefed to provide the witnesses all help. We had also raided the office of the CA. His computer was sealed and handed over to the CBI.”

The officer said he had got the case registered in 2003 when he was SP, City. “Later, the case was transferred to the CBI on the directions of the high court. The CBI had sent the letters in 2008 when I was SSP. I can’t comment on what happened before or after my tenure.”

Khaira said the Punjab Police did not act on threats issued to the witnesses due to which most of the witnesses turned hostile. “Had the police acted on time, Jassi would have been alive and the accused punished.” Khaira said Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal should take responsibility of Jassi’s death.