Chandigarh: In the Kotkapura police firing case that took place during the SAD-BJP government in Punjab, an retired IAS and three IPS officers have been summoned by the SIT headed by Yadav. These officials will be questioned by the SIT in Chandigarh on Monday.
According to sources, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Yadav has summoned IAS officer Gagandeep Singh Brar, who was posted as secretary along with former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, former DGP Iqbalpreet Singh Sahota, Rohit Chaudhary and former DIG Ranbir Singh Khatra for questioning. A retired senior officer has also confirmed being summoned by the SIT.
The retired officer said that even after the issuance of the charge sheet in the Kotkapura police firing case, the summoning of retired and serving officers reveals the fact that the investigation in the case is yet to be completed. As per the court’s order, the investigation was to be completed in six months.
The SIT, while submitting the charge sheet in the faridkot court a few days ago, had named former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and former DGP Sumedh Singh Saini, among others, in the list of accused. Significantly, these four officers have already been questioned by the SIT.
According to sources, an IAS officer, who was posted as deputy commissioner in Faridkot at the time of the incident in 2015, has also been summoned by the SIT.
Police officials said that even after the charge sheet is submitted, it is very important for the SIT to interrogate the officials. The SIT was formed under the leadership of Sahota during the SAD-BJP government. R S Khatra has also been associated with this investigation.
Similarly, Gagandeep Singh Brar was posted in the Chief Minister’s Office. Therefore, many facts have to be confirmed from these officials. According to an official associated with the SIT, supplementary challans can also be submitted if required. It may be recalled that in 2015, when the sacrilege incident took place in Bargari village of Faridkot district, the police had resorted to lathicharge and firing on the protesters at Kotkapura Chowk as a mark of protest.
Several people were injured in the incident. Similarly, in Behbal Kalan, two persons were killed in police firing. An investigation into the matter is underway.