DGP vs DGPs: CJ Murari’s bench to now hear case

In a surprising development, the hearing in the reports submitted by DGP (PSPCL) S Chattopadhyaya, who was heading the special investigation team (SIT) formed by Punjab and Haryana high court to ascertain the alleged complicity of former Moga SSP Raj Jit Singh with drug traffickers, was on Tuesday shifted to the bench of chief justice Krishna Murari.

The hearing is slated for Wednesday. The bench headed by justice Surya Kant had been hearing the matter till now. Murari, who joined on June 2, had after summer vacations effected roster change ordering that all PILs be listed before his bench.

The Raj Jit case is being heard as part of the HC-initiated 2013 PIL into the Jagdish Bhola drug racket case.

On April 6, Chattopadhyaya had levelled allegations against his colleagues DGP Suresh Arora and DGP Intelligence Dinkar Gupta.

Later, on May 23, Chattopadhyaya submitted two reports on the issue --- one signed by all three members of SIT, including ADGP Parbodh Kumar and IG Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh and the other just signed by him.

“All these reports need to be examined in conjunction with reference to the issues formulated by this court or the task assigned to the SIT by way of orders passed from time to time,” the bench of justice Surya Kant had then ordered asking registrar judicial to produce all reports on July 25.

Also, the Punjab government has to submit report of a twomember panel constituted to examine and suggest action on the special task force (STF) report on the alleged links between former revenue minister and Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia and some drug traffickers by July 25.

The report, prepared by the STF headed by IPS officer HS Sidhu, was submitted in a sealed cover to high court on February 1.

“Chief justice is hearing the PILs now. He may tomorrow decide on sending matter back to previous bench. But for once, the matter, which is a PIL, ought to be listed before the chief justice,” a former judge commented. During the tenure of former chief justice SK Vazifdar, the matter remained with justice Surya Kant for three years.

Justice Surya Kant was heading the special bench since July 2015. It was in March 2015 that SC had asked the high court to designate a special bench to hear all drug cases. Even as many roster changes were effected in the past three years, the PIL has always remained with Justice Surya Kant’s bench.

THE BENCH HEADED BY JUSTICE SURYA KANT HAD BEEN HEARING THE MATTER TILL NOW. THE HEARING IS SLATED FOR TODAY