Puneet Kumar has demanded a high-level inquiry against the DC, his wife and staff. The DC, however, has denied the charges.

Addressing a press conference here today, Puneet Kumar said the incident occurred on February 15. He said he was headed for Kurukshetra from Panchkula in his car when a Maruti car came in from the wrong side. It happened on the Ramgarh-Dera Bassi road.

Puneet said when he protested, the driver of the Maruti car told him that madam (who he said was the DC’s wife) was in the car. The woman, Puneet said, threatened action against him.

Later, Puneet said he was picked up by policemen from Dera Bassi Police Station while no one asked the woman anything. After 45 minutes, Puneet said he was taken to the official residence of Mohammad Shaheen in Ambala by his PA and gunman.

“On seeing me, the DC flared up and started abusing me in a very filthy manner. The DC continued to mercilessly thrash me as his gunman held me,” said Puneet. He said he was illegally detained for seven to eight hours and was released only in the evening.

“I tried to get myself medically examined at the Panchkula Sector 6 General Hospital, but was refused on the grounds that it was a police case,” said Puneet.

The businessman has claimed that his version can be verified from the details of his mobile phone which he said was switched on till 11.45 am on that day before it was taken away by the DC. Puneet said he has complained to Ambala SP and sent copies of the complaint to SP, Mohali, Chief Minister, Haryana, Chief Secretary, Haryana, Haryana DGP and PSCM, Haryana.

Mohammad Shaheen, meanwhile, said the charges were totally baseless and untrue. “I have never known this man. It is a baseless allegation against me and my wife. I was in Ambala attending a meeting of the Grievances Committee when the incident is reported to have occurred. Even my wife was in a meeting with other officers of her department at the time,” he said.