Illegally run de-addiction centre raided
THE CENTRE HAD 250 INMATES WHO CLAIMED ITS OWNER, WHO WAS ARRESTED, USED TO THRASH AND TREAT THEM AS BONDED LABOURERS
RUPNAGAR: Police on Tuesday raided an illegally run drug de-addiction centre housing 250 inmates at Jand Sahib village in Chamkaur Sahib sub-division of Rupnagar district.
The police started the process of handing over the inmates, aged between 13 and 45, to their families. They have arrested the centre owner, Khushwinder Singh.
Many of the inmates alleged that they were meted out inhuman treatment by Khushwinder, an accused in 12 other criminal cases, who kept them as bonded labour and forced them to look after his cattle. They further alleged that Khushwinder used to beat them up and they were not allowed to meet their families.
Many of them were found to be suffering from illnesses.
The owner used to charge about ₹20,000 for an inmate per month, it was learnt.
Four ‘birs’ of the Guru Granth Sahib and other religious scriptures were also found in the academy. These were sent to Gurdwara Katalgarh Sahib.
A case was registered against Khushwinder and two caretakers under Sections 384 (punishment for extortion), 344 (wrongful confinement for ten or more days), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt.), 148 (rioting, 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of IPC.
The raiding team was headed by SP (investigation) Balwinder Singh Randhawa and Chamkaur Sahib DSP Navreet Singh Virk .