‘Drug-tainted’ SSP named for state award, file under lens

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 12

The state police have landed themselves in a sticky situation with their one wing recommending Moga SSP Raj Jit Singh for the state award for his devotion to duty ahead of the Republic Day, while another wing accusing him of having links with drug smugglers.

The recommendation, based on SSP’s role in solving series of targeted killings, was allegedly made in a controversial manner in the last few days when DGP Suresh Arora was out of the state for attending a national conference of the DGPs.

Usually, a committee of officials from the Home and Police Departments makes recommendations. The committee had listed six names, but a separate communication from the DGP office recommended Raj Jit Singh’s name as well. The recommendation letter, however, did not have the approval of the DGP or the committee.

It is learnt that the Home Department has returned the file to the DGP saying proper procedure was not followed. Sources said the DGP was unlikely to approve the recommendation as any official facing an inquiry could not be recommended for any award. They said a final decision was yet to be taken.

The SSP is under investigation over his alleged drug links by a committee of police officers monitored by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. His name figures in the investigation by the Special Task Force into the drug network of arrested Inspector Inderjit Singh. It was alleged that Inderjit was his favourite and was mostly posted in his district. Also, a retired DSP had given a statement before a judge linking the SSP with Inspector Inderjit.

SSP Raj Jit Singh had contested the allegations. He had moved the High Court claiming innocence and fearing false implication by the STF. He had also approached the Home Department for shifting the inquiry to the CBI or any other investigating agency outside Punjab.