Chandigarh stalking case: No ‘kidnapping bid’ charge in FIR, police says probe still on

He said, “We are not working under any political pressure. Otherwise why would we register an FIR on the first day. We are investigating the case on merit. Our technical analysis of the CCTVs installed on the route on which the complainant was allegedly stalked, is going on. Once we complete our technical analysis, we shall proceed accordingly. In case any other section is required to be added in the FIR, we shall do that. So far, we have not included kidnapping bid charge in the FIR.” Also read: Have CCTV footage of accused chasing victim, say police. Click here.

Singhal said, “The media should not conduct the trial in the case.”

For the last two days, Chandigarh Police have faced criticism for diluting the charges levelled in the FIR against Barala’s son and his friend. The offences mentioned in the FIR — Section 354(D) (stalking) and Section 341 (wrongful restraint) — are both bailable. Both the accused were arrested and released on bail within a few hours on the same day that the case was registered.

Later, Director General of Police Tejinder Singh Luthra, too, avoided speaking to the media.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Dr O P Mishra, too, refused to interact with the media on the issue.

Highly placed sources in the Chandigarh administration told Chandigarh Newsline that they were “not in favour” of Chandigarh Police’s senior officers coming out and briefing the media “at this stage”. Sources added that senior officers even “advised” DGP Luthra “not to hold the press conference”, but he ignored the suggestion and went ahead. Sources said senior UT administration officers found the SSP’s comments about a “media trial”, which he made in the press conference on Monday evening “immature”.