AMRITSAR: High level magisterial enquiries into the deaths of two men in police custody have indicted the police for torturing them to death.
The magisterial enquiries into the deaths of CPI workers Piara Singh and Raghbir Singh were conducted by the sub-divisional magistrate L.D Hans. While Piara Singh died in police lock up in Chherta on Jan 1 last year, the death of Raghbir Singh was reported at the police sub-station at Khasa which falls under Chherta police station on July 19. The Deputy Commissioner had ordered the enquiries following demonstrations by residents of the two areas alleging that the deaths were due to torture by the police.
A post mortem examination revealed Raghbir Singh had several injuries sustained by a blunt weapon. The police version that he had complained of severe pain in the chest before he died was thus proved to be a lie.
The only bread winner of a family of aged parents, a wife and four young children, Raghbir died within four hours of being brought to police substation. He was interrogated without even a case being registered against him,
While ordering the probe, the D.C. had assured the agitators that compensation would be given to families if the men were proved innocent. Punitive action was also assured against the erring cops. Although the district authorities are trying to keep the reports a closely guarded secret, resentment prevails in the area.
Hans who is known to be an honest officer was under tremendous pressure.
This is the third time in the past two years that Hans has held the police responsible for deaths in police custody. In an earlier case he had indicted the police of torturing to death Harpal Singh of Jagdevkalan village. No action was taken on the findings of that report. It is a known fact that the findings of several such enquiries which have held the administration responsible for deaths are lying in cold storage for lack of will to take action and apathy.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 26, 1990
