Kaithal police inaction results in murder

 

The Tribune, January 30, 2002

Murderers at large, 2 cops suspended for inaction
Our Correspondent

Kaithal, January 29
Even after seven days of the daylight murder of the owner of a private school, Kartar Sharma, who was a relative of a former Haryana Chief Parliamentary Secretary, the police has not succeeded in apprehending the suspects named in the FIR, causing resentment among residents of the town.

Meanwhile, the SP, Mr A.S. Chawla, has suspended Sub-Inspector Balwan Singh and Head Constable Ram Pal for dereliction of duty. The SP has entrusted the investigation of the case to the CIA staff here.

It is learnt that the victim, who was apprehending danger to his life, had lodged an FIR on December 20 in which he had named a clerk of a judicial court here besides some other persons as those threatening him,

Following the complaint, the police had registered a case under Sections 457, 380 and 427of the IPC against Krishan, son of Kali Ram, Krishan, son of Telu Ram Pawan Kumar, Bhalla Ram, Malka and others. Family members of Kartar Sharma have alleged that even after the registration of the FIR on December 20 the police did not arrest the persons named in the FIR and ultimately Kartar Sharma was shot dead by motor cycle-borne assailants on January 22.

It is learnt that the victim, after finding that the police was not taking any action, had on December 24 made a representation to the SHO stating that he was facing danger to his life. He had demanded security for himself. He had forwarded copies of the representation to the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the DIG, Ambala, the Deputy Commissioner and the SP. The family members of the deceased have also alleged that the Sub-Inspector entrusted with the case did not take the matter seriously. Head Constable Ram Pal, who was posted with another cop at the residence of the deceased to provide security to his family members, reportedly created a scene there on January 26 under the influence of liquor following which the SP suspended him.