Mukha’s killing: Two cops suspended

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 1

The district police today suspended two officers who led the team that killed Akali leader Mukhjit Singh Mukha in an encounter on June 16 near Mudhal village in Amritsar.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Parampal Singh said Sub Inspector Ramesh Kumar and Assistant Sub Inspector Joginder Singh were suspended.

The Akali leadership termed the development a result of its ultimatum issued to the police.

The police had said the encounter was a result of mistaken identity as the target was notorious gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.

Earlier, 10 policemen of the counter intelligence cell who had allegedly gunned down Mukha were transferred following orders of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. AIG Crime (Zonal) TP Maur, one of the three members of the special investigation team probing the incident, was also replaced by HS Bhullar, AIG, Crime and Investigations, on the insistence of deceased’s family members.

The police theory in the case is still being questioned. While the police are projecting the killing as a result of mistaken identity, city-based human rights activist Sarabjit Singh Verka claimed that Rajesh Kumar, who was part of the team and had allegedly sustained injuries during the encounter, knew the leader well and even used to visit his house.

District SAD (urban) president Upkar Singh Sandhu, who met the Police Commissioner today, said the two suspended police officers were leading the two teams of the counter intelligence wing. “We are awaiting the report of the laboratory tests,” he said.

Forensic samples were sent to Chandigarh and Delhi laboratories and also to Gujarat Forensic Science Laboratory at Gandhinagar.

The SIT, headed by G Nageshwara Rao, IG (Investigations), is yet to get its reports. It is yet to be ascertained as to how many gunshots were fired. The forensic team had picked up blood stains from the ground on the rear side of the car, Mukha was driving.

It is also yet to be cleared whether the blood stains were of head constable Rajesh Kumar injured in the encounter.