Witnessed 50 fake encounters: Police ‘cat’ Pinky

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 5

Former state police “cat” Gurmeet Singh Pinky has uploaded a video on YouTube alleging that he was witness to at least 50 fake encounters. His claim was refuted by former Director General of Police KPS Gill.

In his six-part video, Pinky has given graphic details of killings committed by senior police officers who rose many ranks via such acts.

He alleged he witnessed 50 such killings where the bodies were disposed of as unidentified. Pinky, who was an alleged terrorist-turned-police cat was referring to the unsolved mystery behind 2,300 unidentified bodies cremated during the days of terrorism.

Pinky has also named a top police officer, who is still in service, of having received Rs50 lakh through a middleman for reinstating him in May this year as Head Constable after he was released from jail. He was convicted of murdering Ludhiana youth Avtar Singh Gola.

The government and the state police have so far not reacted to Pinky’s claims.

KPS Gill, who was at the helm of state police at the time of the alleged killings, mainly in Ludhiana, has dismissed the claims. “There was no police cat. There were no fake encounters,” he said.

Pinky, meanwhile, has alleged threat to his life. “I have put things on record. My life is under threat. During the days of terrorism, I followed the orders of senior officers. My role was limited to nabbing terrorists or trapping them. I have not killed anyone. I can’t be held responsible for what was done by the seniors.”

Human rights activist Navkiran Singh who is fighting several cases of fake encounters has sought a CBI inquiry into Pinky’s revelations.

“The man was a police ‘cat’. He knows much and he has come on record which should be noted. A probe should be ordered on his revelations. It concerns the death of many innocent youths. Their families deserve answers and the truth,” he said.