More than 48 hours after the murder of a class-12 student, Pavitar Singh, allegedly by police inspector Gurcharan Singh in post-poll violence at Chait Singh Wala village, 10 km from here, on Wednesday, the police are yet to make any arrests. The accused cop has not even been suspended.
The police claim to have registered an FIR against Gurcharan Singh, inspector of the mobile police team on election duty on Wednesday, and Parminder Singh, the candidate who was declared the winner, under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC.
"I was standing close to my son when inspector Gurcharan Singh shot my son on orders from Parminder, yet the accused are roaming free," alleged Lakhwinder Singh, father of Pavitar. "We met Faridkot SSP on Friday, he assured of action, but nothing has moved."
"The cop seems to be shielded by influential people," alleged Jagseer Singh Khosa, the cousin of the victim.
"The police have registered a cross-case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC against me and other unidentified persons even though I was hiding in a corner to save myself," claimed Inderjeet Singh, the candidate who lost the poll.
An eyewitness said, on the condition of anonymity: "A police patrol party entered the polling station, while it is not supposed to do so. There was a lot of commotion. As the police were taking out the staff and poll material from the station, one member of a group objected to the decision of the sarpanch polls. The youth, Pavitar, was one of those who requested a cop to listen to them before leaving. However, the cop shot at him without provocation or warning. There were no shots in the air."
{{/usCountry}}An eyewitness said, on the condition of anonymity: "A police patrol party entered the polling station, while it is not supposed to do so. There was a lot of commotion. As the police were taking out the staff and poll material from the station, one member of a group objected to the decision of the sarpanch polls. The youth, Pavitar, was one of those who requested a cop to listen to them before leaving. However, the cop shot at him without provocation or warning. There were no shots in the air."
{{/usCountry}}When contacted Faridkot SSP said: "When a murder case has been registered, it is hard to understand that why the cop has not been suspended at the very least," a source said.
Faridkot SSP Gurmeet singh Randhawa said: "We have registered a case against he accused and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed. Action will be taken on the basis of the SIT report. No arrests have been made and the accused cop has not been suspended."
SP (detective) Bahader Singh, DSP (detective) Kashmir Kaur and inspector Gurjeet singh Romana are members of the SIT.