After HC rap, Mohali SSP assures cops’ compliance with judicial orders

Two days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court took note of persistent defiance of judicial orders by the police, Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) has assured the court that all officials posted in district would comply with orders passed by judicial officers.

Taking note of the submissions by the SSP, Justice NS Shekhawat today fixed the matter for further hearing on Thursday.

In its detailed order which was passed on April 21, the Bench had also pulled up the Mohali police for posting “insensitive officers” as station house officers (SHO) and investigating officers (IO).

Observing that they had “scant regard for the rule of law,” Justice Shekhawat had at the time ordered an inquiry before asserting that their conduct was not only shocking but verged on contempt.

“It is shocking to note that such insensitive officers have been ordered to be posted as SHO and IO, who have to deal with the public at large. A person, who is not bothered about the court orders, can never be expected to work efficiently as SHO and IO. Even the said conduct of the officials is on the verge of contempt as it amounts to interference in the administration of justice and lowers the dignity of the Courts,” Justice Shekhawat had further added.

The assertion came as Justice Shekhawat took note of their repeated failure to comply with directions issued by the Dera Bassi Judicial Magistrate First Class.

Directing the SSP to furnish the undertaking on issuance of written instructions on compliance with orders passed by all courts in the district, the Bench had also asked him to conduct the inquiry and submit a report.

The petitioner, Laika Makkar, was seeking a direction to the State and other respondents to ensure fair and proper investigation into a matter.

Zirakpur SHO suspended

Zirakpur station house officer (SHO) Jaskanwal Singh Shekhon, munshi and naib court have been suspended with immediate effect after a serious rap to Mohali SSP by the High Court. The action was taken after the cops failed to submit a report in the Rs 50 lakh fraud involving a Non-Resident Indian.

Phase-11 SHO Gagandeep Singh has been posted as new the Zirakpur SHO.

The SHO as well as the investigating officer (IO) had not complied with the orders passed by the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, following which the Punjab and Haryana High Court came down heavily on them.

The High Court took note of the disturbing sequence of events. Justice NS Shekhawat asserted the Judicial Magistrate first sought a status report from the SHO on January 15, 2024, to be submitted by April 3, 2024. The matter was adjourned to May 22, 2024, when the report was not filed on the due date, Yet again, no status report was filed. On July 20, the court recorded that multiple opportunities had already been granted and still report had not been submitted.

Taking note of this non-compliance, the Magistrate issued bailable warrants against the SHO and the IO, and further ordered that their salaries not be released until further orders. However, the coercive measures also failed to elicit compliance. The bailable warrants were returned unserved and fresh ones had to be issued. —TNS

Chandigarh