Punjab and Haryana High Court summons two police officers for filing false affidavit denying police assault on prisoner

The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently summoned two police officials for submitting an affidavit that appeared to have falsely denied a prison inmate's allegation that he was beaten up by the police inside jail [Harinder Pal Singh v State of Punjab & Anr]..The affidavit submitted by an Additional Director General of Police, Prisons, Punjab (ADGP) and a Deputy Inspector General of Prisons had asserted that the jail inmate was not assaulted or injured.However, a CCTV recording produced by the inmate's lawyer indicated otherwise. On December 8, Justice NS Shekhawat observed that it was evident from the CCTV footage that jail officials were beating up an individual inside the jail. "Thus, in the prima facie opinion of the Court, a false affidavit has been filed before this Court," the Court noted..The police officials were, therefore, directed to be personally present in Court on December 14 (today) to explain the same. The Court was hearing a prison inmate's plea for judicial inquiry into the alleged mental and physical torture inflicted upon him at the Central Jail, Hoshiarpur, Punjab. The prisoner, Harinder Pal Singh, had urged the Court to direct a medical examination and issue directions to protect him. .The Court was told that Harinder Pal Singh was presently serving a life sentence for a murder case. His lawyer submitted that Singh underwent severe beating from both jail officials and an unidentified civilian while in prison.Singh was further said to have been placed in solitary confinement without access to food or water after he was physically assaulted..Taking into account the allegations, the Court had on November 16 sought a reply from the ADGP (Prisons) and also directed that the CCTV footage from the prison be preserved. .The ADGP submitted a reply earlier this month, asserting that Harinder Pal Singh was not seen in the CCTV footage and that only jail officials were seen in the footage. This affidavit also stated that as per an Enquiry Officer, Harinder Pal Singh was not subjected to any assault nor was he suffering from any injuries..However, since the CCTV footage played by Singh's lawyer indicated that an individual was beaten up inside the jail, the Court summoned the police officials in question. ."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," the order stated. The matter is slated to be heard again today. .Advocates Amit Agnihotri, Mani Makkar and Abhishek Jindal appeared for the prison inmate, Harinder Pal Singh.AAG Mohit Chaudhary appeared for the State. .[Read Order]