CBI Court of Mohali held another 1993 encounter case as fake, convicts two police officials

MOHALI: Two former police officials namely Shamsher Singh and Jagtar Singh have been convicted by the CB Court of Mohali in a fake encounter case of 1993.

The Court of Mrs.Harinder Sidhu, Special Judge CBI, Punjab pronounced the judgment in 30 years old police encounter case of Tarn Taran in which one Harbans Singh resident of Uboke alongwith one unknown militant was shown as killed during police firing and finally it was held by the trial court that this encounter was fake and convicted .accused Shamsher Singh and Jagtar Singh for offences punishable under Section 120-B r/w 302, 218 IPC.

It is pertinent to mention here that on 15.4.1993 it was claimed by the police of Sadar Tarn Taran that at 4:30 AM three militants attached the police party when they were taking one Harbans Singh resident of Uboke who was in their custody for recovery of arms and ammunition as per his disclosure statement from the area of Chambal drain and during cross firing Harbans Singh and one unidentified militant was killed regarding which case/FIR No.28/93 dated 15.4.1993 U/s 302,307/34 IPC r/w 25/54/59 of Arms Act and 5 of TADA Act was registered against unknown militants at PS Sadar, Tarn Taran.

In this case on orders of Apex Court, Preliminary Enquiry was conducted by the CBI on complaint of brother of Harbans Singh namely Paramjit Singh and found the story of encounter suspicious and then on the basis of this enquiry, on 25.1.1999 registered the regular case against the police officials under Section 34 IPC r/w 364-302 IPC.

In this case on 8.1.2002, Chargesheet for the offence punishable under Section 120-B r/w 302 and 218 IPC was presented against accused Puran Singh the then SI/SHO PS Sadar Tarn Taran, SI Shamsher Singh, ASI Jagir Singh and ASI Jagtar Singh all then posted at PS Sadar Tarn Taran and on 13.12.2002 charges were framed against them by the CBI Court but trial remained stayed from 2006 to 2022 on orders of higher courts during which accused Puran Singh and Jagir Singh died. In this case 17 witness recorded their statements before the trail court and finally after about 30 years case is decided.