Bains claims CBI clean chit in 2009 assault case

Independent MLA Simarjit Singh Bains on Monday claimed that the CBI has given him clean chit in a case of alleged assault on sub-registrar GS Benipal.

Independent MLA Simarjit Singh Bains on Monday claimed that the CBI has given him clean chit in a case of alleged assault on sub-registrar GS Benipal.

The Ludhiana legislator claimed that the CBI has acquitted him and his 23 supporters in the 2009 case. The central probe agency has submitted its findings in the Supreme Court, Bains said.

However, five supporters of Bains, including former councillor Kamaljit Singh Karwal, who had parted ways with Bains a year ago and joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), are still facing charges in the case.

While talking to HT, Bains said he was falsely implicated in the case and had to remain in the Ludhiana central jail as an undertrial for at least eight months. Bains was a municipal councillor and an active SAD leader at that time.

Bains alleged he was implicated at the behest of Badals. “It’s their strategy to keep popular leaders embroiled in some controversy, so that they are not able to grow and pose any threat to them,” alleged Bains.

He added that the CBI had done justice to him. In August 2014, the Supreme Court had ordered the CBI to investigate the case following a plea by Bains.

Bains moved the Supreme Court, appealing it to mark an inquiry by an independent agency. The SC had then stayed the trial.

On June 19, 2009, a group of more than 40 people, alleged to be SAD members and supporters of Bains, had “assaulted” sub-registrar GS Benipal at his office. After attacking Benipal and tearing off his clothes, the accused had also snatched his licenced revolver before fleeing.

Police had booked Kawaljit Singh Karwal and others under various sections in the case. Three days later, Bains’s name was included as an accused and he was arrested.