‘No evidence’ yet against UT Police, interim report submitted

Talking to The Indian Express, a senior Moga police officer investigating the case said, “We have found no evidence against Chandigarh Police till now. However, we will not give them a clean chit till a final report is submitted, for which one month has been sought from DGP Punjab.” The source added that ‘Chandigarh Police’s firing was completely an action of self-defence as per the report.’

The report has also declared that the pistol and gun used by Sukhdev during the exchange of fire with the police were ‘illegal’, while the rifle used was licenced.

“We are yet to verify the weapon details of the Chandigarh Police. Details like weapons issued to them and their use at the time of incident are yet to be confirmed,” the officer added.

It has been over 20 days after the incident and police are yet to trace the juice vendor near whose stall the incident unfolded. This has found a mention in the interim report.

What is also yet to be confirmed is the presence and role of SAD leader Gursewak Singh Gohlia. “We have failed to confirm if Gohlia was present or not. While one arrested accused said he was present, the other said he was not,” the officer said.

Statements of Dr Kaura, at whose hospital police took the injured personnel, is also part of the report which says that ‘police did not recover any CCTV footage from the hospital’.

Not only the SIT, but the magisterial enquiry headed by a sub-divisional magistrate has been delayed. The SDM was to submit the report by July 20, but former SDM Mahinderpal has been transferred .

SDM Surinder Kaur who has replaced him said, “I am yet to study the case as it is a sensitive issue. It will take two weeks for me to submit the final report.”

When contacted, H S Pannu (SP, detective, Moga police) and a part of the SIT said, “Yes, we have demanded a month to submit the final report as some reports are awaited.”

On the other hand, the family of Inderjit has alleged foul play due to the delay in submission of the report. A family member said, “We were called only once for recording statements. The second time the SDM told us to give statements in front of the Chandigarh police personnel, Ranjodh Singh. Moga police is trying to make us compromise with them but it is impossible. The delay in submitting both the magisterial and SIT reports show that the Chandigarh police is being covered.”