The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Saturday, April 26, 2003, Chandigarh, India

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Some cops aid satta men, admits police
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 25
The Ludhiana police today made a candid admission that some cops in the force were providing support and protection to satta operators in the city and stated that the police would welcome further information on any such elements.

The police, however, said legal action against such police personnel was being taken. This was stated in a press conference addressed by SP(D) Gurpreet Singh, who is the investigating officer in the police pay-off scandal. The statement was signed by Mr H.S. Sidhu , SSP, Ludhiana.

Close on the heels of this development, the two alleged satta operators — Subash Katty and Bittu Chawla — are learnt to have gone underground. The police is deliberating registering a case against them for bribing the cops.

A copy of the press note said, “District police Ludhiana has taken effective legal action certain police personnel who are involved in providing support and protection to satta operators”. The police personnel who have been identified are HC Jaswinder Singh, HC Sartaj Singh, HC Milkha Singh, HC Amrik Singh, Constable Rakesh Kumar, SPO Prem Singh, SI Balbir Singh, SI Darshan Ram, HC Kuldip Singh, HC Amrik Singh and Constable Amrik Singh.

The note gives details about 17 criminal cases registered against Katty and Bittu Chawla. “The police personnel who have been indulging in corruption shall be dealt with departmentally in addition to the criminal cases against them”. The note further states, “The Ludhiana police welcomes further information on any such elements colluding with satta operators or other criminals and aiding them in escaping the clutches of law. There will be no let-up in action against satta operators and strict action will be taken as per the law.”