Journalist Arrest Case: High Court Initiates Contempt Against SIT, Slams Magistrates Over Remand Extensions
Taking up a contempt petition filed by journalist Rajinder Singh Taggar (web channel Punjab Dastavez) against the Mohali police, Justice Supeepti Sharma of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today ordered the impleadment of five police officers, all members of the SIT formed by the then SSP Sandeep Garg, as contemnors.
CHANDIGARH: Taking up a contempt petition filed by journalist Rajinder Singh Taggar (web channel Punjab Dastavez) against the Mohali police, Justice Supeepti Sharma of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today ordered the impleadment of five police officers, all members of the SIT formed by the then SSP Sandeep Garg, as contemnors.
Those impleaded as contemnerrs are, Tushar Gupta IPS (chairman) the then SP (now SSP Nawanshehar), (members) Mohit Aggarwal, the then DSP, Mullanpur (now SP, Mohali), Gursher Sandhu, the then DSP, Special Operations Cells, Mohali (now PO in three FIRs, including gangster Lawrence Bishnoi interview case) Sukhvir Singh, inspector the then SHO, Phase 1 police station, Mohali and Shiv Kumar, inspector (retd).
The judge observed that the summons be delivered, 'dasti' to all the SIT members who illegally ordered the arrest of Rajinder Singh Taggar on April 26, 2024, in violation of the directions of the Supreme Court in Arnesh Kumar Vs State of Bihar case.
Justice Sudeepti Sharma said in open court that judicial magistrates who not only granted police remand but also extended it for 9 days will also be asked separately to explain their conduct. They did not exercise their judgment before agreeing to the prosecution's repeated demands to extend the police remand, thereby violating the Constitution of India, which grants its citizens freedom of speech and the right to life.
The then Duty Judicial Magistrate who first granted police remand of journalist Taggar was Sonali Singh; later, in subsequent hearings, the then Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mohali (CJM), Aneesh Goyal, extended the police remand, totalling 9 days, in sheer violation of the Apex Court directions.
The judge ordered that the summons be delivered to all the contemnors, 'dasti', in addition to the routine procedure.
Senior advocate Rajwinder Singh Bains and Sarbjot Singh Cheema appeared for the petitioner, Rajinder Singh Taggar..
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