Chandigarh/Nakodar-Senior Congress leader and Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira today strongly condemned the brutal killing of 22-year-old Dalit youth Lovepreet Singh alias Labha of village Bangiwal, Mehatpur, and demanded the immediate registration of a criminal case for murder against all police officials involved in the firing incident. Khaira also urged the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court to take suo motu cognisance of the shocking incident and ensure an independent judicial probe.
Khaira said the circumstances surrounding Lovepreet’s death raise extremely serious questions about the conduct of the Punjab Police and expose the dangerous culture of impunity prevailing under the AAP government. While the police have attempted to justify the shooting as an act of self-defence, the victim’s family and villagers have alleged that Lovepreet was mercilessly beaten and then shot by the police party. They have further alleged that he was prevented from receiving timely medical treatment. These conflicting versions make it imperative that the truth be established through an impartial judicial investigation rather than an internal police inquiry.
“The killing of a young Dalit man at the hands of the police cannot be brushed aside by merely ordering a departmental inquiry. When a citizen dies due to police firing, the law demands the highest standards of transparency and accountability. The police cannot be allowed to investigate themselves and then grant themselves a clean chit,” said Khaira.
Khaira stated that even if a person is wanted in a criminal case, the police have no authority to act as judge, jury and executioner. In a democratic society governed by the rule of law, every accused person is entitled to due process and a fair trial. Extra-judicial killings and excessive use of force strike at the very foundation of constitutional governance.