Ruling that the Kharar police staff interfered in the administration of justice by way of obstructing a warrant officer appointed for the release of a prisoner,the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued showcause contempt notices to three police officers. The court held that a case of contempt is made out prima facie,and consequently issued showcause contempt notices to Kharar Deputy Superintendent of Police Satinder Pal Singh; CIA staff in-charge Gurvinder Singh and Constable Kailash Kumar. The court further referred the case to Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur seeking it to be placed before an appropriate Bench. The notices were issued on a petition filed by Zeenat,a local resident whose husband Harminder Kumar was allegedly put under illegal detention by Kharar police officials on July 1. A warrant officer was appointed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on a Habeas Corpus petition filed by Zeenat. Not only was the warrant officer stopped from entering the police station,he was also locked from outside. Moreover,Harminder Kumar was reportedly taken away from the back door by Kharar police officers in a private vehicle. These facts were stated in the report submitted by the warrant officer in the High Court. And while the Kharar police officers tendered an unconditional apology on Thursday,it was turned down by the court. On August 4,Chandigarh Newsline had reported that Harminder Kumar had filed an affidavit in the High court giving details as to how he was detained,mercilessly beaten and a bribe of Rs 1 lakh was demanded from him.
