Former Punjab Police Officer Gets 10 Years’ Rigorous Imprisonment in 1993 Fake Encounter Case

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Chandigarh: A CBI court in Mohali has sentenced a former Punjab Police officer to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with a 1993 fake encounter case involving the deaths of two police constables.

The court of Special CBI Judge Baljinder Singh Sra also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on Paramjit Singh, who was the Station House Officer (SHO) of Beas police station in Amritsar at the time. Singh, now 67, retired as a Superintendent of Police.

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In its judgment delivered on Wednesday, the court acquitted three other accused — former inspector Dharam Singh (77), assistant sub-inspector Kashmir Singh (69), and ASI Darbara Singh (71). Another accused, sub-inspector Ram Lubhaya, passed away during the course of the trial.

The case dates back to April 18, 1993, when constable Surmukh Singh of Muchhal village (Baba Bakala) and constable Sukhwinder Singh of Khiala village were picked up by the police. Surmukh was taken from his home by then SHO Paramjit Singh, while Sukhwinder was taken into custody by sub-inspector Lubhaya in connection with a scooter theft case.

When Sukhwinder’s parents attempted to meet him at Beas police station, they were denied access.

Days later, the Majitha police claimed that two unidentified militants had been killed in an encounter. Their bodies were cremated without identification, according to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A week after the alleged encounter, SHO Paramjit Singh filed an “untraced” report, stating that no further investigation was necessary. However, a CBI investigation — launched in 1995 following a directive from the Supreme Court — concluded that the encounter was fake and that police had fabricated evidence to support their claims.

The probe revealed that the two so-called militants killed in the encounter were, in fact, the missing constables Surmukh and Sukhwinder.

In its judgment, the court acknowledged the prolonged struggle of the victims’ families:
“The court can very well imagine the plight of the family members who have been running from pillar to post since 1993 to seek justice. They must have incurred a lot of expenses for that and need monetary compensation for their rehabilitation.”

The court directed the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Mohali, to assess the families’ case for compensation.

CBI public prosecutor Anmol Narang, along with advocates Sarabjit Singh Verka, Pushpinder Singh Natt, and Jagjit Singh, represented the complainants.

(With inputs from agencies)

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