Govt in a fix over Ranjit Commission’s recommendation on FIR against cops

Home dept wants separate FIRs against cops on the recommendation of the panel; police top brass insist that if nomination has to be done, it should be in FIRs already lodged

Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) Commission, probing sacrilege cases of Guru Granth Sahib, recommending the registration of First-Information Reports (FIRs) against police officials present during action on protesters sitting on dharna in Kotkapura and Bargari on October 14, 2015, the state government is in a fix on how to go about this.

According to a senior functionary, the police have objected to the recommendations of the home department to register separate FIRs against cops in both instances.

A few persons were injured in Kotkapura when the police used force and fired to disperse the crowd. In Behbal Kalan village, a few hours later, two protesters were killed in a separate clash between police and the protesters.

There should not be any case as the police were only taking action to control law and order situation, still if there has to be any, officers want nomination of cops only in the already registered FIRs. “This has been a set procedure and the trial will run as a single case as both parties are stating that they were attacked by the opposite party. If separate FIR is registered against cops, it will be against procedures and against giving cops a fair chance during trial,” stated a top police functionary.

“Various Supreme Court rulings have been cited to the home department in which the apex court has repeatedly upheld that two FIRs cannot be registered in one incident,” a top government functionary, said. A detailed note on objections has been submitted. A final decision was likely by Wednesday.

‘OBJECT TO PREVIOUS TWO FIRS ALSO’

In fresh findings, HT has learnt, that the police top brass have objected to two FIRs, number 129 and 130 registered in Bajakhana police station after the clash between police and the protesters at Bargari on October 14.

The first FIR was registered on October 14 under “attempt to murder” charges, on the complaint of the police alleging that a group of protesters had, first, attacked the vehicles in Behbal Kalan, injuring many cops. The FIR number 130 of “attempt to murder charges”, was registered against “unknown policemen” on the recommendations of the SIT headed by ADGP IPS Sahota.

“Even the registration of two FIRs in the same incident in Behbal Kalan incident would not have strong legal sanity. It should have been a cross-case,” said a senior police officer. In Kotkapura too, the FIR number 192, was registered at the under attempt to murder charges on the complaint of the SHO.

Various SC rulings have been cited to the home dept in which the apex court has repeatedly upheld that 2 FIRs can’t be registered in one incident. A TOP GOVT FUNCTIONARY