Assembly SC panel asks Faridkot SSP for report

FARIDKOT: Taking note of police failure to file a challan in a case of rape of Scheduled Caste teacher at Adarsh School, Pakka Kalan (Faridkot), more than 90 days after it was registered, Punjab assembly’s Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes has sought an inquiry report from Faridkot SSP within a week.

On the victim’s complaint, the police had booked the then chairperson, Narinder Singh Randhawa, and his son Jasmit Singh at Sadar police station, Kotkapura, on September 6 for rape and cheating. Now, the victim had approached the assembly committee, accusing an ASI Baldev Singh of pressuring for a compromise in the case. “I have been pressured to compromise and hefty amounts were offered,” she has reportedly told the commission. “I want a woman officer to probe the case. I also want a gazetted officer to represent me,” she added.

CASE HAD EVEN REACHED CM OFFICE

On September 26, soon after the case surfaced, CM Capt Amarinder Singh had directed the DGP to take immediate action and keep his office informed. Punjab and Haryana HC had granted bail to Narinder Randhawa in October.

Faridkot SSP Nanak Singh said, “We will file a challan within 15 days and a challan in the rest of the cases will be filed next week.” He added, “Action will be taken against the ASI, if the charges are proved.” Acting chairman of Adarsh School and Randhawa’s daughter, Harsimran Kaur Randhawa, said, “Teachers have framed my father and are using his name to garner sympathy.”