Chandigarh kidnapping case: Three cops suspended

CHANDIGARH - Chandigarh police Wednesday suspended three of its senior officers on the recommendations of a magisterial probe into the murder and kidnap of a five-year old boy in December last year.

Khushpreet Singh was kidnapped from Burail village here Dec 21. His body was found dumped in the neighbouring Mohali town Jan 5, sparking off widespread protests over police negligence.

M.L. Sharma, a Punjab Civil Service (PCS) officer, was asked to conduct a probe. Sharma submitted his 109-page inquiry report to Chandigarh Home Secretary Ram Niwas Wednesday.

The inquiry report was submitted to me today and I had sent it to inspector general of Chandigarh police. Suspension orders have been issued by the police chief, Niwas told IANS.

Inspector Uday Pal Singh, who was posted as the station house officer of Sector 34 police station here, Inspector Narinder Patial and Sub-Inspector Balraj Singh (both posted at Burail police post) were suspended for negligence and dereliction of duty.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (south) Vijay Kumar was also transferred.

Khushpreet’s case evoked strong protests from the public, who were enraged over the police laxity in handling the case.

The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of Rs.10 lakh from the boy’s family but later took Rs.4 lakh.

The Chandigarh police let the kidnappers slip away when they came to collect the ransom amount.

Following this, widespread violence was triggered in Burail village, as residents resorted to street protests.