CCTV Captures Assault On Jail Inmate | Punjab & Haryana High Court Summons ADGP For Denying Incident By Filing 'False Affidavit'

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has summoned the Additional Director General of Police, Prisons, Punjab (ADGP) as well as the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons for filing a "prima facie" false affidavit before the Court, wherein it stated that an inmate "was neither beaten nor he suffered any injury."

Justice N.S Shekhawat noted that during the proceeding when the CCTV footage was played by the counsel for the inmate, "it is apparent that some person was being beaten up by the jail officials inside the jail."

Thus, in the prima facie opinion of the Court, a false affidavit has been filed before this Court, the Court added.

The Court was hearing the plea seeking judicial enquiry into alleged mental and physical torture against the prisoner by Central Jail, Hoshiarpur, Punjab. Urgent medical examination and protection of the inmate was also sought.

It is alleged that Harinder Pal Singh, currently serving a life sentence in a murder case, was beaten mercilessly by jail officials and a private individual in civilian clothing. Singh is currently in solitary confinement without food and water, the plea added.

Considering the allegations, the Court sought a reply to an affidavit by the ADGP (Prisons) and it further directed to preserve all the CCTV footage.

In pursuance of the directions, the affidavit was filed by the ADGP (Prisons), Punjab wherein it was stated, "It has been further stated in the affidavit that only jail employees can be seen in the footage of CCTV cameras around 11:59 A.M., however, the prisoner Harinder Pal Singh was not seen in the footage of CCTV camera. It has been further stated that as per the Enquiry Officer, prisoner Harinder Pal Singh was neither beaten nor he suffered any injury," the Court noted.

However, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that an application was filed two days after the alleged incident before the District and Sessions Judge, Hoshiarpur seeking action against the jail officials.

The Court further noted that when the counsel for the petitioner played the footage from his pen drive and the footage, "it is apparent that some person was being beaten up by the jail officials inside the jail."

In the light of the above, the Court said that, "in the prima facie opinion of the Court, a false affidavit has been filed before this Court. Additional Director General of Police, Prisons, Punjab, Chandigarh as well as Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Amritsar are directed to remain present in the Court on the next date of hearing."

While listing the matter for December 14, the Court further directed the District and Sessions Judge, Hoshiarpur "to submit a detailed report with regard to the application, submitted by the present petitioner."

Case Title: Harinder Pal Singh @ Hinda v. State of Punjab & Anr.

Advocates Amit Agnihotri, Mani Makkar and Abhishek Jindal appeared for the petitioner.

 Mohit Chaudhary, AAG, Punjab for the state.

Click here to read/download the order