Associates allege drug abuse by Amritpal, says police chargesheet
The statements of Bhagwant Singh, alias Pardhan Mantri Bajeke, and Varinder Singh Fauji,
were recorded in police custody in March after they were brought to Punjab from Dibrugarh jail earlier this year to face trial in the Ajnala police station attack case.
At least six cops were injured in the attack, in which Amritpal and his associates barged into the police station using Guru Granth Sahib as a "shield" to get one of their associates freed.
On Feb 24, 2023, Amritpal and his associates were booked on attempted murder and several other charges.
While Amritpal is lodged for the third year in running in Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act (NSA), Bajeke and Fauji spent two years there.
Their disclosure statements are part of a charge-sheet filed by the police in a court in Ajnala last month. They have been sent to the sessions court in Amritsar, as the attempted murder case is under trial there.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Learn more about Sterilization Using Autoclave Technology
contentcuehub
Search Now
Undo
According to the statements, Amritpal "used Signal and Zigana apps, carried a special iPhone without any SIM card, talked to various persons living abroad while he was in Punjab and in Dibrugarh jail, and behaved weirdly in Dibrugarh jail, often hurling abuses at his associates under the influence of drugs."
Responding to the claims, Imaan Singh Khara, the legal adviser of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), the political party Amritpal Singh's faction launched in Jan this year, said that such "confession statements have no value in the court."
He added, "It is per se not admissible in the court."
Claiming that Bajeke told him over phone from the official landline number of Bathinda jail, where he is lodged, that he did not give any such statement to the police, Khara alleged that "police got the signatures on blank papers". He alleged that it was "a deliberate attempt to defame and tarnish the image of Amritpal Singh by labelling him as a drug addict because he leads the campaign against drugs.
It is character assassination.
" Khara said, "Only statements made in the court are admissible." Khara also said that "the statements hold no relevance in context to the Ajnala incident FIR."
A senior Punjab Police officer, privy to the developments in the case, said, "These are disclosure statements of the accused and are part of a supplementary charge sheet submitted in the court. These may come into play in the course of the investigation."
BOX
Bid to defame: Lawyer
Ritu Raj Singh Sandhu, counsel for the associates of Amritpal Singh in the case, said the "disclosure statements are an attempt to defame Amritpal Singh." Sandhu said, "The disclosure statement should focus on the relevance of the facts in the case and any related recoveries, for example, recovery of weapons if any fact emerged. What he (Amritpal) does or does not do is not relevant. Were they to recover drugs in the case? Also, the disclosure statements are not in proper format.
Instead of questions and answers or conversations, these are like essays written by someone."
MSID:: 122884271 413 |
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Panchkula municipal corporation plans to improve waste management after poor Swachh Survekshan ranking
1 2 Panchkula: In the wake of Panchkula's poor performance in the latest Swachh Survekshan rankings, the municipal corporation has swung into action to address the city's cleanliness crisis. A meeting of all party councillors was convened on Wednesday, chaired by mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, to discuss urgent measures for improving solid waste management and restoring the city's image. One of the key decisions taken was to enhance the existing door-to-door waste collection service, which currently covers only 61% of the city, as per national survey data. The councillors agreed to expand this coverage and invest in additional waste carts and collection vehicles to handle the growing volume of waste more efficiently. Importantly, the new carts will include two separate compartments to facilitate waste segregation at source — a category in which Panchkula scored just 20%, its lowest mark in the survey. The meeting also focused on setting up dedicated facilities for processing horticultural and general waste, aiming to reduce the burden on landfills. To streamline waste management and improve infrastructure, the MC will explore closer collaboration with the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA) and Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), especially in areas that fall under their jurisdiction. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Goyal stressed the need for cross-party cooperation and active involvement of residents and local businesses in maintaining cleanliness. He said the administration is committed to turning things around and outlined a detailed plan that begins with providing dedicated space for segregation in waste carts, making it easier to separate wet and dry waste at the source. Measures to increase both waste collection and processing capacity were also discussed. Congress councillor Salim Dabkouri voiced concerns about the lack of infrastructure, stating that while councillors are ready to ensure public participation in their wards, the MC must first improve the segregation and collection facilities. The overall focus of the meeting was to strengthen Panchkula's waste management ecosystem, reduce pressure on landfills, and ensure a better showing in future Swachh Survekshan assessments. City Stood At 219th Rank Panchkula recorded its worst-ever national ranking of 219 in the '50,000 to 3 lakh population' category in the Swachh Survekshan, the results of which were announced on July 17. The city also suffered a major setback in the Haryana state rankings, plunging from second place in 2023 to a distant 22nd in the 2024 survey.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Judge calls upon people to take responsibility to prevent human trafficking
Mysuru/ Hassan: Principal district and sessions judge Hemavathi called upon the people to take responsibility to prevent human trafficking. She also stressed that more care should be taken to ensure that human trafficking is not reported in Hassan district. The judge was speaking after inaugurating the Human Trafficking Prevention Day and awareness programme organised at Hasanamba Kalakshetra on Wednesday. She said the Constitution grants everyone the right to live as they wish, and thus better opportunities should be provided. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that no child is deprived of education. "Children under the age of 18 should not be employed for any work. Upon reviewing various dimensions, it is observed that children are being misused for begging and immoral activities. Everyone should pay attention to their surroundings and join hands to prevent such activities," she advised. Deputy commissioner KS Latha Kumari emphasised that human trafficking is a severe social evil and should be taken seriously, with priority given to its prevention. "Awareness programmes should be organised at the rural and taluk levels by forming teams, writing wall messages, and organising seminars," she said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Human trafficking is menace to society: Senior judge Senior civil judge and member secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, KK Amarnath, on Wednesday stressed the urgent need to curb human trafficking, describing it as a menace to society and an inhumane act against humanity. Delivering the inaugural address at the World Day against Trafficking in Persons at the district police superintendent's office auditorium, he stressed the need for collaborative efforts between various departments and society to end this menace, which is detrimental to the development of society. Amarnath reflected on the changing nature of crime, stating, "Years ago, we read in newspapers about the arrest of five arecanut thieves or bicycle thefts. Later, we started seeing reports of national and international thefts. Now, we are reading about human trafficking. It is disheartening that a conscious civil society must observe a day to address this issue." "Trafficking of children can result in life imprisonment, yet innocent victims continue to be deceived and sold," he added. Amarnath assured that legal aid would be provided to victims from the district to the national level. "The District Legal Services Authority offers compensation to victims, and rescuing and rehabilitating those affected by trafficking is a key priority," he added. Additional superintendent of police C Mallik emphasised that human trafficking is the country's third-largest economic crime. He urged all departments to work together to prevent it.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Don't elect Muslim immigrants': Islamophobic attacks follow NFL headquarters mass shooting after Muslim NYPD officer gets killed
The tragic shooting on Park Avenue has ignited a wave of political disinformation (Getty Images) A tragic mass shooting on Park Avenue in Manhattan has become the latest flashpoint for political disinformation, with far-right voices attempting to link the attack to Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani—despite no evidence connecting him to the crime. The incident, which claimed four lives including an NYPD officer, quickly turned into a digital battlefield fueled by Islamophobic rhetoric and political fearmongering. Right-wing figures falsely blame Mamdani despite lack of evidence In the chaotic aftermath of the shooting, conspiracy theorists and conservative commentators pounced. Far-right personality Laura Loomer accused Mamdani of inspiring 'a generation of pro-Islamic cop killers,' writing on X, 'This is why you don't elect Muslim immigrants to office.' Other voices resurfaced old statements from Mamdani about defunding the police—remarks he has since walked back—to question his legitimacy as a public servant. This narrative gained traction online before facts could surface, despite the real story being far different. One of the victims was Officer Didarul Islam, a Muslim Bangladeshi immigrant and father of two, who was working security when he was fatally shot. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called him 'a hero,' saying, 'He made the ultimate sacrifice, shot in cold blood… He died as he lived: a hero.' Muslim communities mourn while fighting rising hate In the Bronx, where Officer Islam lived, the Bangladeshi community gathered in solidarity. Nurul Islam, a community leader and friend of the fallen officer, dismissed the online hate: 'The killer is the killer. He doesn't care who is Muslim, who is non-Muslim.' Zohran Mamdani , currently visiting Uganda, responded with empathy, tweeting: 'I'm heartbroken to learn of the horrific shooting in midtown… Grateful for all of our first responders.' Supporters, including Councilwoman Shahana Hanif, blasted the bigoted narratives: 'This bigoted rhetoric dishonors the lives we lost and endangers our Muslim communities.' The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the online hate, calling it 'blind hatred' and demanding accountability for spreading false narratives in times of tragedy. Also Read: 'Study my brain please': Shooter in NYC accused NFL of CTE, demanded brain study in suicide note after Manhattan massacre FAQs 1. Was Zohran Mamdani involved in the Park Avenue shooting ? No, there is no evidence linking him to the attack. 2. Who was Officer Didarul Islam? A Muslim NYPD officer and father, killed while working security during the shooting. 3. Why are people blaming Zohran Mamdani for the Park Avenue shooting? Right-wing commentators used his religion and past statements to push anti-Muslim narratives. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
