Controversial cop posted as Patiala DSP

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 23

The recent posting of Hansraj as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) City-I has come under the scanner. He was earlier posted as SHO Kotwali in the city. Following a complaint of torture by a local resident in 2011, Hansraj was shifted to the Police Lines.

Kotwali police station is an ISO-certified police station and now falls under jurisdiction of Hansraj, who replaced DSP Harpal Singh.

The 33-year-old complainant, Gurmukh Singh, had alleged that he was tortured after being detained on the false charge of gambling. He alleged that the SHO brutally beat him up and ordered a junior policeman to “insert a stick into his anus”. The victim claimed that the officer took an offence when he accused them of turning a blind eye towards gambling outside the premises of an Akali minister.

When contacted, state DGP Suresh Arora said he would look into the matter as the charges were of serious nature. “Let me get a report on the matter. We will take action accordingly,” he said.

Hansraj claimed that he was given a clean chit by a departmental probe. “The victim had retracted from his statement,” he said.

Meanwhile, local Congress activist have decided to take up the matter with the police top brass claiming that “the Akalis wanted to influence voters by posting such tainted officers ahead of the polls in the home constituency of Capt Amarinder Singh.”