M A I N   N E W S

HC seeks DGP’s explanation
Non-production of PPSC Chairman
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 26
Punjab Public Service Commission Chairman Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu, reportedly booked by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau after conducting raids at his residence in Sector 39 here, was not produced before the Punjab and Haryana High Court despite directions. Taking note of the matter, Mr Justice J.S. Khehar of the High Court asked Punjab’s Director General of Police to file an affidavit indicating the circumstances under which the PPSC chief could not be produced.

Issuing the directions in the afternoon today, Mr Justice Khehar also ordered that the entire record should be produced in court tomorrow. Sidhu, as per the directions issued by Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi of the High Court on Monday, was to be produced in the court at 12. 30 pm today. At about 1.30 pm, it was informed that the chairman would be produced after an hour, but was still not brought.

Meanwhile, the Judge recorded an undertaking by Inspector General of Police (Vigilance) A.P. Pandey stating that the investigation into the matter would be conducted by an officer of SSP’s rank, and that it would be open for the petitioner’s counsel to meet him twice a day — at 8 am and 8 pm. The undertaking added that the chairman would not be harassed.

In his detailed order, the Judge observed that despite an undertaking by counsel for the respondents regarding Mr Sidhu’’s production before the court at 2.30 pm, he was not produced. The Judge added that the court had assembled in the afternoon specifically at counsel’s request.

Mr Justice Khehar also observed that Joint Director of Prosecution (Vigilance), Mr A.S. Rai, present in court, had told counsel for the respondents that Mr Sidhu was produced before a Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate at Kharar after 12 noon and that the court had refused to grant permission to the Investigating Officer to take him to Chandigarh for being produced before the High Court here.

The Judge also observed that counsel for the respondents interrupted the court while the order was being passed to state that an application was moved before the court dealing with the issue at Kharar seeking Mr Sidhu’s release.

The Judge added that the application was superfluous in view of the fact that the court was not having Mr Sidhu’s custody.

The case will now come up for hearing tomorrow. An application moved by Mr Sidhu’s counsel seeking the grant of bail will also be taken up.

One-day remand for Sidhu
Shashi Pal Jain

PPSC Chairman Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu is produced at a court in Kharar on Tuesday. — Tribune photo Manoj Mahajan

Mr K.S. Brar, Deputy District Attorney, Mr J.S. Punn, Assistant District Attorney, Mr Jaskarn Singh (S.P., Economic Offences), Mr Harbhajan Singh (SP, Vigilance) and Mr Jora Singh Brar (DSP, Vigilance) who were present in the court pleaded for police remand of 15 days.

They pleaded that information remained to be collected from the accused about his properties at Mohali, Chandigarh, Delhi, Mumbai and other places. They said information was also to be collected from the accused about his lockers.

When the court asked from the accused about his advocate the accused alleged that the police had involved him in a false case and he was not allowed to telephone to his lawyer. The police denied the allegation. However, the judge allowed the accused to make telephone calls.

When the police was about to go to Chandigarh to produce him, the police got the message that the court had ordered that he should be produced at 10 a.m. on March 27 and an application was moved in the court by the police.

The judge then ordered that a copy of the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court should be produced. The copy was produced in the court at 5.30 p.m.

When the accused was produced in the court at 5.30 p.m., the judge ordered all persons, including mediamen and even the President of the local Bar Association and another lawyer leave the courtroom and only the accused and police officers were allowed to remain in court.

PPSC Chairman booked
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 26
The Chandigarh police today registered a case against Punjab Public Service Commission Chairman Ravinderpal Singh Sidhu under the Arms Act and the Excise Act. He had been arrested by the State Vigilance Department yesterday on charges of corruption.

As per the FIR registered in the Sector 39 police station, 14 bottles of foreign liquor were recovered from Sidhu’s house.

In addition, 250 rounds of 12 bore gun and 225 rounds of Springfield rifle were also recovered from his house.

Sidhu admitted to GMCH
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 26
Mr Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu was admitted to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, following complaint of chest pain and anxiety here tonight.

Sources in the GMCH said Mr Sidhu was admitted to the GMCH for medical examination. He was admitted in the private ward on floor No. 5 for the night. Doctors at the GMCH conducted tests for the levels of urea, keratine and sodium in his body, the sources confirmed.