The darker aspects of the Murthal incidents of molestation seems to have started emerging as the Special Investigative Team (SIT) In-charge Mamta Singh on Thursday sought a ‘personal hearing’ from the Punjab and Haryana High Court and addressed the Division Bench of Justice S S Saron and Justice liza Gill on the developments in the investigation for about a period of more than 15 minutes inside the chamber of the court.
Although the Haryana police on Thursday satisfied the court with the concealed statements of the SIT Incharge Mamta Singh, yet Haryana Government had to the Court’s wrath for trying to prevent former IPS officer Parkash Singh from making suggestion for police reforms in the wake of the turmoil during Jat reservation row.
As the case came up for resumed hearing, Additional Solicitor-General of India Tushar Mehta demanded personal audience inside the chamber of the court for SIT In-charge Mamta Singh in larger interest of the society.
Mehta told the court, that developments had taken place in the investigation and SIT In-charge wanted to address the court inside the chamber in camera.
He also told the court that the journalist, who had provided the version of a victim’s mother had been co-operating in the investigation.
Accepting to the demand of the SIT, the Bench proceeded with the matter inside the chamber. Having heard the SIT Incharge, Justice S S Saron speaking for the Bench said that the probe had reached a sensitive stage as per the Haryana police and the investigating team is given more time to further the investigation.
The Court was previously told that the investigators had found women under-garments from the spots of incidents.
Haryana police had detained five persons in this connection and their DNA mapping is under way these days. The matter of molestation of women had surfaced when media reports appeared that women commuters were subjected to sexual assault during Jat reservation row in Murthal.
During the hearing the Court was told that action has been initiated against five IPS officers on the basis of the Parkash Singh panel report. The court was also told that action had also been initiated against 19 DSPs and 35 non-gazetted officers, while a Sub-inspector had been dismissed.
As per the government reply, on the basis of Parkash Singh panel report, comments from IPS officers, named Shrikant Jadav, Abhishek Jorwal, Krishan Murari, Abhishek Garg and Rahul Sharma had been obtained and the matter was under consideration.
Taking up the action taken report, the Bench took a strong exception on the silence of the government on undertaking the second part of investigations made by Parkash Singh Panel, i.e., on police reforms.
The matter emerged when Amicus Curiae Anupam Gupta pointed referring to the appointment orders of Parkash Singh Panel said that the illustrious police officer was assigned with two responsibilities while he was handed over the probe. And the second part of the assignment was undertaking a study of the existing structure/procedures and the systems for maintenance of law and order.
Gupta said that the State had now been shying away from its initial decision and its Additional Chief Secretary Ram Niwas had sent a letter to the officer, informing him that the government had decided not to continue with the second part of his assignment.
Adjourning the matter, the Bench directed the State to clarify its stand on the issue by September 22.