SIT produces evidence to negate cops’ claim

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, March 24

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing police firing cases has come up with more evidence, negating the claims of some accused police officers, including an IGP and a former SSP. These accused had stated that the police had resorted to firing on protesters at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura on October 14, 2015, in self-defence.

While opposing the bail to former SSP Charanjit Singh Sharma, the SIT has placed on record medical reports and other documents to prove that protesters were sitting peacefully at Behbal Kalan until Charanjit Sharma and Inspector Pardeep Singh used foul and abusive language and slapped a protester.

It led to a full-fledged confrontation between the police and protesters. The police resorted to lathi-charge and opened firing “without obtaining requisite permission” from the duty magistrate, who was present at the spot. The SIT stated that there was “no evidence to suggest that the Bargari police post was under threat” as none of the protesters was carrying weapons. However, the police fabricated evidence by firing upon the escort Gypsy of Charanjit Sharma, alleged the SIT.

The post-mortem report of those killed in police firing has revealed that bullets were fired at the victims from upward positions, showing that the protesters were sitting at that time, claimed the SIT in its documents submitted in the court.

In an FIR against protesters, the police had claimed that ASI Surinder Kumar was beaten up by protesters so the police had to resort to firing in self-defence to save him.

However, in his statement with the SIT, Surinder has stated the police had fired at protesters before he was beaten up. His statement reads that the protesters burnt vehicles after the police firing led to the death of two persons.

The SIT has recovered the gun which was used to fabricate bullet marks on the Gypsy and the owner of the gun has also given his confessional statement, claimed the SIT. The SIT blamed the police officers for misleading the court, saying they did not produce true translation of the District Magistrate orders about the restrictions on protest marches.

Documents produced

• The accused policemen had stated that they had resorted to firing in self-defence. However, the SIT stated protesters were peaceful till cops became aggressive. 
• The post-mortem report has revealed that bullets were fired at victims from upward positions, showing that the protesters were sitting.
• An ASI has stated that protesters burnt vehicles only after the police firing led to the death of two persons.