Patiala (February 24, 2010): Karamjeet Kaur of village Manki, Sangrur has once again claimed that her brother in Law is in illegal detention of Punjab Police since 13 February. Today she attempted to meet the Mr. Mukul Modgil, Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court at Court complex Patiala to urge him to interfere into the matter but was prevented by the police from doing so. Police asked her not to spoil the show and asked her to leave the place. Chief Justice was in the city to lay the foundation stone of Lawyers Chamber (Block II). The family of Darshan Singh fears that he may be tortured during illegal custody or implicated by Police in some false case or even the worse.
Karamjeet Kaur, who was accompanied by three minor children of the family rued that the police is actively denying to give any information regarding the whereabouts of his brother in law.
“My Husband Jasbir Singh Jassa and brother in Law Darshan Singh were picked by the police on February 13, at around 6 PM. We waited for their release till February 16, as we were assured that they will be released after some inquiry. But when police officers denied the fact of their arrest or detention altogether we contacted Advocate Lakhwinder Singh of Sikhs for Human Rights on February 17.” informed Karamjeet Kaur. “On 21st February Police showed arrest of my husband from Nabha claiming that he is a member of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) but there is no information regarding Darshan Singh till date.” she added.
Human Rights activists Advocate Lakhwinder Singh Kaliraun and General Secretary of SFHR informed that police has claimed to have arrested Jasbir Singh Jassa along with one Harchand Singh alias DC from Nabha on intervening night of 20 and 21 February but Jassa was already in Police custody. He showed telegrams and other forms of complaints made by Karamjeet Kaur to the State High Court and other State Human Rights Commission regarding his detention.
“It is interesting to note that the car numbered PB-10AZ 3472 claimed to have been recovered from possession of Jassa and DC was already with Sadar Police Station Nabha under the orders of Hon’ble Judge T.P.S. Randhawa since February 16.” informed Lakhwinder while showing documents in support of his claim. He added that what we urge is that the police should be directed to follow the due procedure of Law and practice of illegal detention must end.
“It is not a simple matter of wrongful detention; rather it is a clear case of heinous and continuing crime of enforced disappearance of a person for more than 12 days, who is thereby placed out of protection of Law.” said Parmjeet Singh Gazi, President of Sikh Students Federation while commenting on the matter. He added that active denial of facts of arrest and detention by the police amounts to infringement of basic right of “Life and Liberty” as is ensured by Indian Constitution as well as Universal Deceleration of Human Rights.