HC asks Punjab govt to dismiss all cops convicted of Murder

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Chandigarh, Feb 17 (PTI) Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the dismissal of police officials convicted of murder and sought a compliance report by February 21.
After resumed hearing of a PIL filed by a local advocate, a Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gagoi and Justice A G Masih today directed the Punjab Government to immediately remove all those police officials, referred to in the PIL, who have been retained in service despite their conviction on murder charges.
In his plea, the petitioner alleged that as per information procured by him under the RTI Act, two Deputy Superintendents of Police - Ravinder Kumar and Rajinderpal Anand - despite conviction for murder under section 302 IPC and having been sentenced to life imprisonment, are still retained in service.
While Ravinder Kumar, who was earlier dismissed from service, was again taken back in service when his sentence was suspended, the other DSP, Rajinderpal Anand, who was convicted on December 16th, 2007, has not still been removed from service purportedly on the ground that approval for his dismissal has yet not been received from PPSC.
The PIL also referred to five other cases - of ASI Malvinder Singh, Constable Manjit Singh, Inspector Harinderpal Singh, Head Constable Jaswant Singh and Constable Gurcharan Singh - all similarly dismissed from service when convicted for murder, but subsequently reinstated on grant of bail.
The petitioner had contended that under Rule 16.2 (2) of the Punjab Police Rules, "an enrolled officer convicted and sentenced to imprisonment on a criminal charge shall be dismissed, provided that in case the conviction of a police officer is set aside in appeal or revision, the officer empowered to appoint him shall review his case keeping in view the instructions issued by the Government in this behalf."
The PIL had contended that the police officers convicted for heinous charge of murder cannot be expected to discharge their duties for protection of life and liberty of the citizens and for preserving law and order in an impartial and lawful manner.
After hearing R S Bains, Counsel for petitioner, the Bench directed the State Government to immediately take action for removal of all the police officials named in the PIL, who have been convicted for murder charges under section 302 IPC, and to report compliance by February 21, and thereafter adjourned the PIL for further hearing on Monday next for further orders.

HC asks Punjab govt to dismiss all cops convicted of murder -  National News
 
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