High Court Issues Notice On Plea Seeking CBI Probe Into Death Of Protestor Allegedly Shot By Haryana Police During Farmers' Protest

The Punjab and Haryana High Court last week sought the stand of the Haryana and Punjab Governments in a plea seeking a CBI probe into the death of a protestor who was allegedly shot by Haryana Police during Farmers' Protest at the Khanauri border.

The deceased Shubhkaran Singh lost his life on February 21 while protesting, inter-alia, for the demand of a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops on the Punjab-Haryana border. Alleging that he lost his life after being hit by a bullet fired by the Haryana police, his father approached the High Court.

A single judge bench of Justice Karamjit Singh issued notice to the Union Government, Punjab, Haryana and CBI.

The plea filed by deceased father Charanjit Singh stated that the High Court has entrusted the investigation of FIR lodged on the death to IPS Satish Balan who is Haryana Cadre IPS officer.

Balan being part of Haryana Police has a conflict of interest in ensuring free and fair investigation into the matter as officials of Haryana Police are themselves the perpetrators and assailants and is alleged to be itself the aggressor party and is thus unapt and unsuitable of investigating the aforesaid FIR in an evenhanded, equitable and unbiased manner, the plea added.

It is also highlighted that while the probe is pending Haryana Government sought gallantry medals for the Haryana IPS officers who stopped farmer's Delhi March.

Shubhkaran's father added that he apprehends that IPS Balan will not be in a position to conduct a Fair and impartial investigation into the matter and thereby seeks directions from the High Court to transfer the investigation to a Neutral Investigation Agency such like Central Bureau of Investigation or an such impartial investigation agency.

Stating that the reply must be filed by the next date, the Court listed it for December 17, for further consideration.

Mr. R.S. Bains, Sr. Advocate with Advocates Mr. Gurmohanpreet Singh, Mr. Khushpal Singh,  Ms. Aarushi Garg, I.P.S. Deol, for the petitioner.

Title: CHARANJIT SINGH VS STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS

Click here to read/download the order