Petition filed in Punjab and Haryana HC over alleged false encounter of NRI in Patiala
Gurtej Singh Dhillon is the brother-in-law of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath, a serving army officer who, along with his son, was allegedly assaulted by the same police team near Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, earlier that night.
According to the petition, the police claimed that Jaspreet Singh was involved in the kidnapping of a minor and was shot during a gunfight after refusing to stop his vehicle. The FIR states that Singh, who was allegedly armed, opened fire on police officers, injuring two of them, and was subsequently killed in retaliatory firing. However, the petitioner has alleged that this was a staged encounter, orchestrated under the influence of liquor and misused authority, as the same officers had been recently rewarded and appreciated for earlier actions.
The post-mortem report of Jaspreet Singh has been attached with the petition, highlighting seven injuries, including fatal wounds to the forehead and chest from point-blank range, suggesting a close-range execution. The petitioner claims these findings strongly contradict the official version provided by the police and point to a fabricated narrative.
The petition further reveals that Jaspreet Singh has been a student residing in Canada since 2022 and has recently married. He had returned to India just days before the incident. The family, reportedly under pressure and facing threats, is being discouraged from pursuing legal remedies. A previous petition seeking a CBI inquiry into the encounter, filed by the victim's parents, is currently pending before the High Court, but Dhillon fears it may be withdrawn under pressure, which led him to file this fresh plea to ensure justice.
The petitioner also draws attention to a broader pattern of encounters in Punjab, stating that 20 such incidents have taken place between February and July 2025. A news report from an English daily has been submitted as evidence, indicating public concern over a rise in police-led encounters and the lack of accountability. Another news item appended to the petition shows that Punjab Police officials involved in this specific encounter were not only publicly praised by their superiors but also allegedly awarded with Rs 10 lakh and out-of-turn promotions.
Dhillon argues that an unbiased investigation is not possible if handled by Punjab Police, as the accused are their own officials. He therefore seeks that the case be transferred to an independent agency. Notably, the High Court has already handed over a related case, regarding the assault on Col. Bath and his son, to the CBI for investigation.
The matter is expected to be taken up in the coming weeks, while the earlier petition in the case is listed for hearing on September 17. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
4 arrested in Brazilian police raids against gang running illegal ride-hailing app in Rio
SAO PAULO (AP) — Police in Rio de Janeiro carried out raids against a criminal group Friday that allegedly operated a clandestine ride-hailing app that generated monthly profits of up to 1 million reais (about $185,000), authorities said. At least four people were arrested. Officials said in a statement that Comando Vermelho, one of Brazil's most notorious criminal organizations, coerced motorcycle drivers into installing a ride-hailing app developed by the group and using it in Vila Kennedy, a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. More than 300 drivers were registered with the app, and the revenue was funneled through shell companies to finance drug trafficking operations. Police have arrested four people so far and executed 12 search and seizure warrants in Rio and neighboring cities. Authorities said the ride-hailing operation was run by two well-structured groups: one that threatened and extorted drivers, and another that collected the profits and transferred them to the local drug lord. Comando Vermelho, which translates to Red Command in English, is one of Brazil's oldest and largest criminal gangs. Originating in Rio de Janeiro's prison system in the late 1970s, the group has expanded its operations into other criminal businesses, including international cocaine trafficking, and it also controls territory in several of Rio's working-class neighborhoods. Armed groups that dominate these areas often manage basic services such as gas, internet and transportation. Brazilian media recently reported that Comando Vermelho has banned the use of popular ride-hailing apps like Uber and 99 from operating in certain areas. Motorcycle taxis are a longstanding and popular mode of transportation in Rio and other Brazilian cities. Uber launched its motorcycle ride service in Rio in January 2023 and, two years later, the company said in a statement that it had transported 3 million users and registered 100,000 drivers. ___ Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
Canada News.Net
a day ago
- Canada News.Net
Court allows 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana to talk to family to engage Counsel to represent him
New Delhi [India], August 7 (ANI): Patiala House Court on Thursday allowed 26/11 Mumbai terror Attack alleged mastermind Tahawwur Rana to talk to his family for discussion to engage a private counsel to represent him. Tahawwur Rana is chargesheeted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in this case. He wanted to engage a private counsel. Special Judge (NIA) Chander Jit Singh pronounced the order in a closed courtroom. The court allowed the plea for the limited purpose of discussing engagement of Pvt counsel, legal aid counsel Advo Piyush Sachdeva for Tahawwur Rana , confirmed. The conversation will be recorded, it will be in presence of DS Jail, only English or Hindi, he confirmed. Patiala House Court on Tuesday reserved the order on this issue after receiving replies from the NIA and Jail authorities. On August 1, the court disposed of an application of Rana seeking a regular telephone facility for his family in view of the denial of the facility by the jail authorities. Earlier, he was permitted to make a single call to his family. Rana is in judicial custody after NIA interrogation in the 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack case. He was extradited from the USA in April this year. Earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on July 9 filed a supplementary charge sheet against Tahawur Rana in the 26/11 Mumbai terror case. The court had extended the judicial custody of Rana till August 13. This supplementary charge sheet contains procedural documents like arrest memo, seizure memo and other documents, Rana's counsel Piyush Sachdev had told ANI. The main charge sheet was filed by the NIA in December 2011. On June 9, the Court had granted Tahawwur Rana permission to make a single phone call to his family for the time being. The call was strictly conducted in accordance with jail regulations and under the supervision of a senior official from the Tihar jail authorities. Recently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) collected voice and handwriting samples from Rana, who was extradited from the United States. The NIA had previously informed the court that Rana was confronted with substantial evidence related to the 26/11 attacks. The agency argued for further custody, citing his evasive behaviour during questioning and lack of cooperation. Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan and Special Public Prosecutor Narender Mann represented the NIA in the proceedings, while Advocate Piyush Sachdeva defended Rana. 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, Rana, was extradited recently in connection with his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The devastating attack, orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed over 170 lives and left hundreds injured. (ANI)
Global News
a day ago
- Global News
British man accused of trying to drown daughter-in-law in Florida pool
A British man has been charged with attempted murder by police in the U.S. after he was accused of trying to kill his daughter-in-law in a swimming pool while on a family vacation. Mark Raymond Gibbon, 62, from Buckinghamshire, England, is accused of trying to drown his 33-year-old daughter-in-law after a verbal altercation about his grandchildren at the Solterra Resort in Davenport, Fla., on Sunday, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said on X. Judd said officers responded to a call at about 5:20 p.m. on Sunday for a disturbance in a backyard swimming pool. English vacationer arrested for attempted murder in Davenport An argument about grandchildren ended with a vacationer from the United Kingdom getting arrested and charged with attempted murder. 'It's great that Polk County draws visitors from all across the world, but we expect… — Polk County Sheriff 🚔 Grady Judd (@PolkCoSheriff) August 4, 2025 Story continues below advertisement The victim told detectives that she and Gibbon began arguing while in the pool of their vacation rental home. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Police allege that Gibbon pushed the victim's head underwater several times, which prevented her from breathing. The victim's nine-year-old daughter jumped in the pool in an attempt to stop her grandfather from drowning her mother. Still, Gibbon only stopped once two witnesses staying at the vacation rental next door heard the commotion and called the sheriff's office, authorities alleged. Gibbon was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail and charged with attempted second-degree murder and battery. 'It's great that Polk County draws visitors from all across the world, but we expect vacationers to behave while they visit with us, just as we expect our lifelong residents to do the same,' the sheriff said in a statement. 'Because Mr. Gibbon couldn't control his anger, he may find himself spending a lot more time in Florida than he had anticipated.'
