ANU(ChandigarhCityNews)
In the case of arson of two shops in Palsora in the intervening night of October 14-15, the victims have accused SHO Sec 39 Rajdeep Singh and two other officers of Chandigarh Police – Manjit Singh & Sewa Singh of protecting the accused, harassing victims & adopting delaying tactics to slow down pace of investigation in the case.The owner of Jindal Sales Corporation Sanjeev Jindal has given a formal complaint to Hon’ble Governor of Punjab & UT Administrator, UT Adviser, IG, Chandigarh & SSP, Chandigarh demanding an investigation into the ‘suspect’ role of SHO Sec 39 & his Juniors in the case,by a higher level investigating agency.
It is pertinent to mention here that in the Palsora arson the two shops Jindal Sales Corporation & Vishal Toys owned by Umender Kumar were reduced to ashes thus causing loss of lakhs to the owners. It is said in the complaint that the Fire Brigade came late & when it came it did not have adequate water to douse the flames. “It is serious negligence of fire department. It was season of Deewali, which is maximum prone to fire incidents. And fire brigades are kept ready, on red alert and equipped to meet any eventuality of fire. But the first fire brigade totally failed to control the fire as it was without water. Had the fire brigade been working properly, our complete stock would have been saved. An enquiry against negligent fire officer should be ordered so that we are compensated for our loss.” Said Sanjeev Jindal.
What’s more, despite the victims alleging conspiracy the police simply brushed it aside saying it was a short circuit and did not call for forensic team, dog squad, investigating of call details or any proper investigation. Not just this the police totally ignored the CCTV footage of the incident.
What the police should have done was given effect by victims who checked the CCTV footage and saw in it that a man had burnt down the shops, he was identified as Surjit who used to work in Vishal Toys about 3 years ago. The CCTV footage was shown to media by Jindal & Umender. It was further informed that the victims caught hold of Surjit & handed him over to the police.
Jindal in his complaint has said that Surjit is not acting alone and that there is a bigger conspiracy involving a mastermind in this case. In the complaint against the SHO it’s said that Surjit’s statement was taken in which he has taken the name of the mastermind behind the arson but the police is not arresting that person for reasons best known to them. Jindal has alleged that the police have only put section 435 which relates to Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage whereas section 307(Attempt to murder) & 120 B(Criminal Conspiracy) should also have been added. The reason Jindal says is that the Complainant & his workers were sleeping inside the shops at the time of arson as it was usual practice during Diwali time and Surjit knew this being resident of Palsora & still he gave effect to the fire incident. The people inside were lucky to have escaped alive. 120 B has been demanded as victims are sure that there is Criminal Conspiracy due to business rivalry in the case.
“Initially, Surjit had accepted that he had burnt the shops by taking money from someone. Later on, he changed his statement that he has done it himself. Police is shielding the person behind the fire incident. And Surjit has confessed that he has committed theft.We do not have any faith in the SHO & Investigating officer so the case should be handed over to a higher agency to bring out the truth in the matter.” said Umender Kumar.
