Painful Saga Of Unholy Collusion Between Police & Gang: P&H HC Seeks Report On Action Take Against Cops Who Colluded With Gang Adultering Milk

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed the State to place on record the Status report on the investigation against the police officer who "apparently colluded with the accused" involved in mixing chemicals in Punjab's popular milk plant 'Verka' in 2015.

Justice N.S. Shekhawat said that this case depicts a painful saga of unholy collusion between the police officers and a gang which was adding the chemicals in the milk in the Verka Milk Plant, Mohali.

The Court further noted that as per the FIR, which was registered in 2015, spurious milk was being supplied to the Verka Milk Plant Mohali and the milk mixed with chemicals was being supplied to the public at large.

Perusing the order passed by the trial court in 2019 wherein it discharged all accused since the chargesheet was filed under the repealed Act of Food Adulteration, the Court highlighted that, "it is apparent that the prosecution was bound to follow the mandatory requirements of Sections 41 and 42 of the Food and Saftey Standard Act 2006, however, the Investigating Officer had apparently colluded with the accused. Consequently, the SDJM Khamanon directed that a strict disciplinary action/inquiry may be held against the Investigating Officer."

Consequently, the Court directed the Stateto place on record the copy of the status report indicating the investigation conducted so far in the present case as well as the action taken against the guilty police officials in terms of the order passed by the SDJM in 2019.

Justice Shekhawat also impleaded General Manager of Verka Milk plant and the Director (Prosecution), Punjab as respondents.

While deferring the matter to February 26, the Court directed both the newly added above respondents as parties to remain present on next date and appointed Advocate Sheenu Sura as Amicus Curiae.

Appearance: Sandeep Singh Jattan, Advocate for the petitioner.

 M.S. Bajwa, DAG, Punjab.