CHANDIGARH: The inquiry report into the circumstances leading to the arrest of two PCS officers at Jalandhar on Aug.6 has upheld that it was not necessary to arrest KulbirSingh and S.S.Bains, reports said on Sept.8.

It has said that “gross impropriety” was shown by the police officials concerned, while arresting the two PCS officers. The report having been “processed” by the Chief Secretary, A:S.Chatha, has been put up before the Chief Minister, Beant Singh.

As per the settlement reached between the Punjab Civil Service (Executive Branch) Officers’ Association and the Punjab Government on Aug.30, the report’s recommendation are to be implemented within a period of four weeks.

The PCS Officers Association executive met with its president, Jaswant Singh, in the chair, on Sept.8. I demanded that the report be made “public.” This is the first time that the association has raised the demand, in fact, despite repeated requests, the government has not disclosed the findings of the report to the association.

Informed sources said on condition of anonymity that the inquiry. Officer, Secretary, Food and Supplies, c.L.Bains, in his report has said that the arrest of the two officers for“ proper investigation” into the transport scam was “uncalled for.”

Moreover, the report says, if at all the officers had to be arrested, this could have been done in a more “discreet” manner.

It is doubtful if the report will be made public. A highly placed source said the Chief Minister was “disinclined” to do so. However, the Chief Minister was taking the report and its recommendations “very seriously.”

When contacted, Jaswant Singh said the government should fulfil its promise to “transfer” the Superintendent of Police, Jalandhar, N,S.Dhillon, and “suspend” inspector Harbhajan Singh, “We expect action in this respect in another one or two days.” The Vigilance Department, to which a regular inquiry had been entrusted against Kulbir Singhand S.S. Bains, is also expected to complete the report within six weeks.

Article extracted from this publication >>  September 17, 1993