SURJIT SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Learned counsel for the petitioner had, inter alia, contended that an FIR was registered against the petitioner. He was dismissed from service by SSP but was reinstated by the order of the Inspector General of police. Despite his reinstatement by the I.G., the petitioner has again been dismissed by the SSP by the order dated 23.06.2020, which is impugned in this petition. He had submitted that there are several police officers who are facing serious charges and some of them have been convicted but they are continuing in service. This Court, by the order dated 03.09.2020, had directed the respondent No.1 (Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Punjab) to file an affidavit, setting out the details of the FIRs registered against all serving police officers in the State of Punjab including their nature and status. The current posting of the officers was also to be mentioned therein.

(2.) An Affidavit was filed by Sh. Vijay Singh Chauhan, Deputy Secretary, Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Punjab on 08.10.2020 on behalf of respondent No.1, disclosing the names of officers, who were facing criminal cases. Counsel for the petitioner had contended that the entire information, as sought by this Court, has not been disclosed and there are several police officers, who are facing criminal cases but their names have not been mentioned. Thereafter, by the order dated 28.10.2020, this Court had directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Punjab to file an affidavit setting out the details of the police officers and status of the cases registered against them.

(3.) An affidavit was filed by the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Punjab on 10.12.2020. A coordinate Bench of this Court, by the order dated 14.01.2021, had directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Punjab to personally look into the matter and to ascertain if the factual aspects are correct. Consequently, an affidavit was filed by the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Punjab on 01.02.2021. The coordinate Bench of this Court, by the order dated 11.02.2021, had expressed displeasure at the non-disclosure of the information sought. The Court observed that it appears that efforts have been made to help officers. The matter was directed to be listed before this Bench after obtaining orders from the Chief Justice.