CONGRESS MLAs ASSAULT ON POLICEMAN IN VIDHAN SABHA: Punjab SC Commission issues notice

Chandigarh, March 14, 2013:The Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes today issued notice to UT Home Secretary, SSP, Union Territory and Secretary Punjab Vidhan Sabha seeking action taken report on assault of Head Constable Jai Pal by Congress MLAs in the premise of Punjab Vidhan Sabha on March 13.

The Commission today headed by its Chairman Rajesh Bagha with members Parkash Singh Gardhiwala, Dalip Singh Pandhi today met to consider the representation of Jasbir Singh Mehta, President Guru Ravidass Welfare Society, Mohali, who had requested the Commission to take strict action against Congress MLAs, who had tendentionally assaulted Dalit Head Constable on duty and ridiculed him with casteist remarks. He said that he had pleaded the Commission it was the duty of Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes to protect the Scheduled Castes population of the state and ensure justice for them at every forum.

The complainant also attached the cutting of various newspapers suggesting that Chandigarh Police was dragging its feet to register FIR against guilty MLAs on one pretext or other. He also expressed apprehension that MLAs were exercising their undue authority to scuttle the investigation in the case.

Taking serious cognizance of the whole incident, the Commission felt that if a Head Constable, who belongs to Scheduled Caste Community, was not safe in the premises of Punjab Vidhan Sabha and Members of Legislative Assembly, who were supposed to enact Legislation for the protections of SCs, were themselves committing atrocities on them, it was the duty of Punjab State Commission for SCs to intervene and ensure expeditious justice to the aggrieved party.

The Commission under powers conferred to it under section 10 of The Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes 2004 sought action taken report from the SSP, UT and Home Secretary UT. The Commission said that if it did not receive the reply within stipulated time, the Commission would be forced to exercise powers of Civil Court conferred on it by the law.

A notice was also issued to Secretary Punjab Vidhan Sabha to provide factual report of the incident to the Commission. One copy of the complaint was forwarded to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, New Delhi for information and further necessary action.