However, the PP had also stated that departmental action could be initiated against those officials who turned hostile. At this stage, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice K S Ahluwalia observed that they may be in a position to direct proceedings against those police officials under Section 340 of the CrPC only if the appeal against the judgment of the trial Court is pending in the High Court.

Anmol Rattan Singh, Additional Advocate General, Punjab, stated that the Punjab Government intends to file an appeal. He sought a week’s adjournment to enable the State to file it. The case has now been adjourned to March 26. The peculiar situation arose as the case was initially registered in Punjab, but later was transferred to Fast Track Court, Ambala, under High Court’s directions.

The case came up for resumed hearing today along with the PIL filed by an advocate, HC Arora, wherein he had sought a CBI investigation into how and why the witnesses had turned hostile, leading to the acquittal of SSP Pherurai. He had also sought direction to the State of Punjab to take disciplinary action against all such government employees who are declared “hostile” by the Courts of law.

HC raps govt over misuse of power

THE Punjab government was reprimanded for its ‘arbitrary’ use of powers to give SGPC members two official gunmen and also grant them the ‘privilege’ to use red beacons on their vehicles.

Chief Justice Vijender Kumar Jain also hauled the Punjab Government for misusing its discretionary powers. The government had stated that only ten SGPC members were provided security due to threat perception.