HC notice to Punjab in molestation case

By Our Staff Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, DEC 20. The Punjab and Haryana High Court while hearing the petition filed by a teenaged girl, Ms Mamta, accusing an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Mr. B.P. Tiwari, of molesting her, today issued notice to the Punjab Government, through the state's Advocate General. The hearing in the case would now come for hearing on December 22.

The order was handed down by a single bench, comprising of Mr. Justice, V.N. Jain, who insisted that the Punjab Government be also made party to the petition. The court said that on the onset it could not accept that only CBI be made party. It also observed that an FIR should first be registered in the concerned police station.

Ms. Mamta Sharma, through a petition filed before the court on Tuesday, had charged that Mr. Tiwari had molested her when she was employed as maid to attend to the officer's wife, who has an orthopedic problem. The girl has also sought protection for herself and her family as the ADGP had allegedly threatened her and relatives with dire consequences.

The Punjab government on its part, has already ordered an inquiry, by ADGP (Crime), Mr. S.V. Singh, which is to be completed in 15 days. The probe was upgraded at the instance of the Chief Minister, who expressed dissatisfaction at the previous orders regarding a probe being conducted by the SSP of Ropar district, as the alleged incident is said to have occurred in the Mohali residence of Mr. Tiwari.

Meanwhile, according to reports, the episode seems to have divided the top officers of the state police into two camps. While one seems to is favouring an exemplary decision in the case so that a proper message is sent down the ranks that such behaviour would not be shielded at any costs. The second group of officers feels that the Punjab Police should defend Mr. Tiwari and prevent further incidence of implicating more officers.

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