The Punjab Govt was asked by the Supreme court to place on record the charge sheet filed under the FIR lodged against the former Director in General of Police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini on Tuesday. The charges were of 1991 disappearance and murder of a young engineer Balwant Singh Multani.
The Supreme court had already granted bail to the DGP on a fresh case filed in the 1991 disappearance and murder of Multani. The bench of Justice Ashok Bhushan, Subhash Reddy, and MR Shah is hearing Saini’s plea to dismiss the fresh FIR lodged in the case in May 2020.
Gopal Subramaniam, senior counsel for the state asked for additional time to submit the charged sheet and other documents on record. The Counsel of petitioner submitted that matter be listed in February 2021. The court listed it in the second week of February 2021.
The bench said that it has been informed by the counsel of the state that, the magistrate has fixed the date of January 22nd, 2021 for the appearance of Saini. The court asked for the postponement of the date till the end of February 2021.
However, senior advocate Gopal Subramaniam said that the charge sheet has been filed on the matter and court summons have been sent to Saini to appear on January 22nd, 2021 before the court. He believed that since this matter had to be heard at length, Saini can appear before the court and take charge of the charge sheet.
The Senior advocate Mukul Rohtagi, on behalf of the petitioner, sought a stay on the proceedings on the charge sheet filed in the trial court and suggested that it should be taken to the Supreme court. The reason he stated was that there could be no proceedings over the charge sheet when the validity of the FIR lodged is yet to be determined.
Advocate Rohatgi added that Saini cannot be asked to appear before the trial court and hence pleaded if his lawyer’s appearance can be recorded on behalf of Saini.
In response to this, the Punjab Government said that it will do no prejudice to anyone as the matter is pending before the top court. The govt added that Saini will be required to appear before the trial court as summons have been issued against him.
The court granted anticipatory bail to Saini on a fresh case lodged in the 1991 disappearance and murder of Multani in December last year.
While working in the Chandigarh industrial and tourism corporation as a junior engineer, Saini was booked in connection to the disappearance and murder of Mr. Multani. Saini along with 6 others was booked by Multani’s brother, a resident in Jalandhar.
The case registered against them was punishable under sections 201(Causing disappearance of evidence), 364 (Kidnapping or abducting to murder), 330 (voluntarily causing hurt), 344 (wrongful confinement), and 120(B) (Criminal conspiracy) at Mataur police station.
Libertatem.in is now on Telegram. Follow us for regular legal updates and judgement from the court. Follow us on Google News, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter. You can also contribute blog, articles, story tip, judgment and many more and help us spread awareness for a better society. Submit Your Post Now.
