SCI’s decision would impose blind impunity zone in Punjab: SSF

Patiala (December 08, 2011): Sikh Students Federation has raised it’s grave concern over Supreme Court of India’s decision in the case of enforced disappearance of three relatives of Professor Devender Pal Singh Bhullar and has term the decision as most unfortunate. Supreme Court yesterday set aside the Punjab and Haryana High Court order directing CBI inquiry into the matter, on mere ethical ground that High Court judge ordering the inquiry had certain reason for prejudice against one of the accused police officer.

The Supreme court judges did not even bother to take notice of CBI investigation recommending chargesheet and trial against the accused police officers, and wide impunity enjoyed by the guilty police officers over last two decades, said Parmjeet Singh Gazi, President of Sikh Students Federation, in statement posted on website of the Organization today.

It is notable that investigation conducted by CBI had revealed that high rank police officers, including Punjab vigilance chief Sumedh Saini, were involved in enforced disappearance of father, uncle and friend of Professor Devender Pal Singh Bhullar, in 1991.

Gazi said that widespread and systematic practise of enforced disappearance and secret killings was integral part of policing policy in Punjab during 1980s-90s. There are thousands of such cases, which were never investigated, and impunity level in Punjab is very high.

“The supreme court’s decision would further contribute in imposing blind impunity zone in Punjab, thus it is unfortunate.” he added.