The Islamabad police in the district have booked former Chief Khalsa Diwan president Charanjit Singh Chadha, and his son and CKD’s vice-president Inderbir Singh Chadha, for allegedly sexually harassing a woman principal and for criminal intimidation on Thursday.
Chadha and his son faced this action after a video went viral on social media, in which Chadha is seen with the woman principal in an objectionable position. The woman, who is serving in a school run by the CKD, lodged a formal complaint against the father-son duo.
On Friday, Charanjit Singh Chadha was also removed as the vice-president of Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) that manages the historical College here.
In her complaint to the police, the principal had claimed that Chadha made sexual advances towards her. “When I refused to do the same, Charanjit threatened me,” she added.
She also alleged that Charanjit’s son Inderbir also issued death threats to her over phone. Assistant commissioner of police, investigation, (ACP-I) Tejbir Singh said after getting the opinion of DA legal, Chadha and his son had been booked under Sections 354 (using assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354-A (sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 67 and 67-A of the Information Technology Act.
Police soft-pedal on arrest
{{/usCountry}}Police soft-pedal on arrest
{{/usCountry}}Although more than 24 hours have passed since the police booked the accused, the Amritsar police are yet to decide whether they should make any arrests.
Amritsar police commissioner SS Srivastava said, “Right now, we have booked the accused. We are investigating the matter, recording statements and gathering evidence. After the investigation, we will see if any further action needs to be taken.”
A release, issued by the office of police commissioner on Friday evening, read, “A special team under the supervision of additional deputy commissioner of police-crime (ADCP-crime) has been constituted, which will investigate the case on a daily basis.”
Gautam Majithia, the victim’s lawyer, said, “The police have recorded the victim’s statement. We have also handed over the evidence to them. The sections, which have been imposed on the accused, are non-bailable. Investigation should go on, but the accused should be arrested first.”
Sources said Chadha had gone underground to evade arrest with the police giving him time to do so.
The daily crime report of Amritsar police mentioned that the FIR was registered on December 28, but the press release reads that the case was lodged on December 29. Efforts made to access a copy of the FIR proved futile.
Members object to Akal Takht jathedar’s statement on managing affairs
Amritsar Members of the Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) have taken exception to Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh’s statement where he had said that a decision on managing the affairs of the CKD and its institutions would be taken soon. They have termed the statement ‘unnecessary interference’.
On Wednesday, office-bearers and members had appointed Dhanraj Singh as officiating head. Reacting to the statement, he said, “We are capable of running the institution properly.”
“The CKD is a Constitutional and elected body and we are competent enough to manage our affairs on its own. We do not want interference,” said advocate Jaswinder Singh, a senior member. “Why does the Akal Takht not interfere in the SGPC, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and the SAD, to help manage their affairs properly?,” he added.
Another member, advocate RP Singh said, that while they had respect for the Akal Takht, but the CKD also had capable people. “Was Chadha (the removed president) the only capable person? Are other office bearers incapable?,” he added.
Executive member Baljinder Singh added, “Our Constituion does not provide anyone, except members or office-bearers, the right to interfere in the case of a dispute. The Akal Takht jathedar can give a decision in case of violation of Maryada (tradition) as he did in the case of Chadha. He should limit himself there.”