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Journalism of Courage
In the first ever instance of its kind, Punjab Governor S.F. Rodrigues has pardoned two Deputy Superintendents of Police convicted for excesses and crimes in the years of militancy. Of these, former DSP Sawaran Das is serving his sentence in jail while DSP Jaspal Singh is out on bail.
Punjab Principal Secretary (Home) A.K. Dubey has passed the orders to the effect that the two officers have been pardoned by Governor Rodrigues, sources said. ‘‘After solemn consideration of relevant information and peculiar and exceptional circumstances of the cases, the jail authorities and the petitioners are informed that the Governor is pleased to grant pardon,’’ the order said.
IG (Headquarters) Suresh Arora confirmed that these orders were issued. ‘‘We have received orders from the state government that two DSPs have been given pardon,’’ he said. Sources said the families of both police officers had filed mercy petitions with the Governor. Rodrigues granted the pardon under Article 161 of the Indian Constitution. This is the first time ever that a Punjab Governor has pardoned any police official of the state, sources said.
Sawaran Das was convicted to life imprisonment for the abduction and murder of the brother of a terrorist from Jalandhar while he was posted as Inspector with the CIA staff in Hoshiarpur. For the past six years, he is serving his sentence at Hoshiarpur during which time he retired from the force as DSP.
Jaspal Singh, a decorated officer, was convicted to seven years’ imprisonment for kidnapping Amrik Singh, keeping him in illegal custody and causing his death while he was posted as Patra SHO.
