Bathinda SSP, DSP under scanner for release of accused in drug case

DSP’s report, endorsed by SSP, gave clean chit to accused, facilitating his release within 10 days

BATHINDA: A sub-inspector (SI) arrests a man with an illegal stock of over 1,500 habit-forming tablets and registers an FIR, only to discover that the accused was released within 10 days, courtesy the intervention of two senior officers.

The two officers — Bathinda senior superintendent of police (SSP) Navin Singla and deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Gurjit Singh Romana — are now under the scanner for the release of accused Gobind Gupta, a drug trader.

Bathinda range inspector general (IG) MS Chinna has ordered an inquiry into the matter, entrusting the task to Faridkot SSP Nanak Singh.

The FIR against Gupta was registered on April 10 under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Nehianwala police station near Bathinda.

However, the accused was released from the Bathinda prison on April 20 after he was granted bail in the court of additional district and sessions judge LK Singla on the basis of the “inquiry report” of the DSP.

The SSP had endorsed the report that sought cancellation of the FIR.

Confirming that the probe was on, Faridkot SSP Nanak Singh said he would submit his report to the Bathinda IG soon.

IG Chinna, when contacted, said it was a serious matter and he was awaiting the probe report.

ROLE OF DRUG INSPECTOR

The DSP’s inquiry report, which gave a clean chit to the accused, had quoted health department’s drug inspector Seshan Mittal as having said that the seized consignment did not come in the category of the banned or habitforming drugs.

Mittal had, however, accompanied the raiding team, led by sub-inspector Sukhwinder Kaur, that seized the drugs. The drugs included 800 tablets of alprazolam and 270 of gardenal barbitone.

Meanwhile, the drug inspector proceeded on long leave on June 5. Bathinda civil surgeon Dr DS Randhawa said he would inquire into the matter. “I will order an inquiry,” he said, while adding that he has so far not received any communique in this regard from the police.

VERSIONS OF SSP, DSP

SSP Navin Singla said the DSP had drafted the inquiry report for cancellation of the FIR. “The DSP had prepared the cancellation report (for quashing the FIR) but that could not be formally produced in the court.”

While the SSP claimed that the accused was released after being “discharged” in the case, the jail records revealed that the accused was released on bail.

Singla said the DSP’s inquiry report was based on the statement of the drug inspector. He said he has not received any intimation with regard to the probe entrusted to the Faridkot SSP.

DSP Romana blamed the drug inspector for the report. “I am yet to file my reply (to the probe officer),” he said, refusing to talk further on the matter.

ACCUSED GOBIND GUPTA, A DRUG TRADER, WAS ARRESTED WITH ILLEGAL STOCK OF OVER 1,500 HABITFORMING TABLETS AND BOOKED UNDER NDPS ACT