Jat stir violence: HC pulls up Haryana police for not protecting key witnesses

The court rejected the affidavits submitted by Haryana’s Director of Prosecution Narsher Singh and IG (Law and Order) Arshinder Singh Chawla wherein it was submitted that in none of the over 2,000 cases registered across Haryana during the February Jat reservation violence, has there been a single complaint or request by prosecution witness to provide protection to them. It was submitted that in the eventuality of receiving such requests or complaints, necessary steps should be taken to ensure safety of such witnesses.

“This is good music that the department is singing. You are making joke of the system. 2,000 cases have been filed. People have been murdered. Properties burnt. Witnesses are turning hostile. What is the concept of witness protection?” questioned Justice Chaudhuri.

Anguished over state’s stand, Justice Chaudhuri added, “Except taking salary and wasting papers, nothing has been done. Nobody would ask for protection if government servants are bribed. It is a routine which we have been hearing for last many years. Government servants have been fully trained by defence counsel on how to resile.”

The court was hearing a bail petition filed by one Joginder Singh, accused of damaging and setting ablaze Bamla railway station in Bhiwani during the Jat reservation violence in February. The court had taken serious note of the fact that three government employees, who were eyewitnesses, namely Umed Singh (Station Master), Krishan Kumar and Satbir Singh (Pointsmen) had turned hostile in the case.

However, the court was informed by the state counsel on Friday that since the hostile witnesses were central government employees, communication has been made to the concerned authorities for departmental action against them.

The case would be heard on December 9.