UT Crime Branch locks horns with 2 IPS officers

The ‘cold war’ between ASP Deshraj Singh and the Crime Branch officials flared up earlier this month,when the ASP started accusing Crime Branch officers of insubordination and submitted a report in this regard to Naunihal Singh.

Based on the ASP’s reports,SSP Naunihal Singh ordered departmental inquiries in three cases against Amanjot Singh and one inquiry against Inspector Neeraj Sarna (Incharge,Cyber Cell).

In another incident,the Deputy Superintendent of police (Crime) Satbir Singh and Deshraj Singh were advised by the SSP to not wash their dirty linen in public,after both of them entered into a heated altercation at a public event,earlier this month.

Responding to the three departmental inquiries,Inspector Amanjot Singh submitted his resignation on Tuesday evening.

In his resignation,Inspector Amanjot Singh,categorically blamed SSP Naunihal Singh and ASP Deshraj Singh of having ‘bias’ and malafide against him.

Owing to the pendency of a departmental inquiry against him,Amanjot shall not be able to receive the gallantry award,for which his name was recommended by the Chandigarh Police.

The entire issue flared up on May 7,during the visit of the Vice President,M Hamid Ansari,at PGIMER. Amanjot Singh and Neeraj Sarna were on duty in the outer security cordon at the venue. ASP Deshraj alleged that neither Inspectors obeyed his orders,when he asked them to follow him to a spot where a few advocates were protesting. However,the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Crime) Satbir Singh,in his report on the incident submitted to the Inspector General of Police,P K Srivastava,refuted any such disobedience

The second issue,which resulted in another departmental inquiry against Amanjot,was a tussle between him and Deshraj,over a parking spot. Getting agitated,after seeing Inspector Amanjot’s private vehicle parked where Deshraj’s official vehicle is usually parked,the latter called Inspector Amanjot Singh and allegedly used derogatory language,to which Amanjot Singh objected. On this issue also,Naunihal Singh ordered another departmental inquiry against Amanjot Singh.

Prior to this,Satbir Singh and Deshraj had entered into a heated altercation during an event at Leisure Valley; where Deshraj ordered Crime Branch’s personnel to pick up and arrange chairs for the public. Satbir Singh objected to his uniformed men carrying out such duty. Furious,Deshraj ordered the Police Control Room to summon the entire Crime Branch staff to his office next morning. However,intervention by the SSP diffused the situation.

Nothing but an
emotional outburst
by the officer: SSP

Senior Superintendent of Police (UT) Naunihal Singh said,“The resignation submitted by Inspector Amanjot Singh is nothing but an emotional outburst. His outstanding professional conduct is a separate issue; but there had been complaints about his attitude. We all are members of the discriplined force and any kind of insubordination can not be tolerated. In the last one year,there are around 250 policemen,against whom departmental inquiries have been ordered. If all such officers start submitting their resignations,how would the system function.”

“In case the officer (Amanjot) thinks,the action against him is biased,he could very well approach the senior officers. He never approached any senior officer,after the departmental inquiries were marked against him”.

Refuting the allegations of bias against Amanjot or any other officer of Crime Branch,Naunihal Singh added,“Infact,it was me who recommended his name for the award,for his outstanding professional conduct”.

On Amanjot’s resignation,Naunihal Singh said,“The officer shall be called to explain his side and reason for which he has taken this step. He is an important member of our force and we wish that he continues. He shall be heard,before accepting his resignation. But,at the same time,I can not forcefully make anybody work,if he doesnot wish to continue”.