Bathinda/Mansa (October 21, 2009): It is claimed by Ranjeet Kaur of Jhanduke Village in Mansa District that her husband Gurbachan Singh (70) and son Avtar Singh (26) is in illegal detention of Mansa Police for more than a week. Ranjeet Kaur informed that her husband and son were picked up by Jhuneer SHO Jasvir Singh on 14th October 2009 at around 09:45 AM (IST). SHO had assured that they shall be released in the evening after some inquiry but are not released till date. We have no information regarding their whereabouts, informed Ranjeet Kaur who is left alone with her young daughter Amritpal Kaur after the incident. She said that her husband suffers from many old age problems and she fears that her husband may face serious consequences due to lack of proper medical treatment in illegal detention.
Ranjeet Kaur informed that her elder son Jagtar Singh worked as District President of Sikh Students’ Federation during his student life for about two years and had resigned from the post after completion of his studies about a year ago. He runs a small education academy to earn livelihood for the family. She informed that police was enquiring about Jagtar Singh and now SHO says that he was going keep her husband and younger son in illegal detention until Jagtar Singh appear before him for some enquiry.
Meanwhile Advocate Ajit Singh Bangu, Ex-President of Bar Association, Mansa informed that there are no legal allegations or charge against Jagtar Singh or his father and brother and even the police is denying to tender any information that why it need Jagtar Singh? He said that this indigent family is unable to speak for the protection of their fundamental rights. ‘This is a serious mater as infringement of basic right of life and liberty as assured by Article 21 of the Constitution is evident from prima facie facts.’ informed Advocate Bhangu. ‘Police is blamed for breach of undertaking given by Indian State to the international community by signing the International Convention for Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance in France on 6 February, 2007 that it shall protect all persons from enforced disappearance therefore the judiciary and Human Rights commission should take urgent notice of these disappearances’ he added. Advocate Bhangu also referred to recent directive by Punjab and Haryana High Court whereby court has directed Sessions Judges to check illegal detention.