By Raheem Khan
Jaipur, July 25: In a landmark ruling, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) CBI Court in Jodhpur has directed that seven police officers face trial for the alleged murder of notorious gangster Anandpal Singh. The court rejected the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) closure report and ordered the trial under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to murder.
Anandpal Singh, a feared gangster from Rajasthan, was killed in a police encounter on June 24, 2017. His family has consistently claimed that the encounter was staged, asserting that Singh had surrendered before being shot. The controversy surrounding his death led to widespread protests, prompting a CBI inquiry and two post-mortem examinations.
There are several critical factors, including eyewitness accounts and medical reports, which suggested that Singh was shot at close range and had injuries indicative of a struggle. Anandpal’s brother testified that he witnessed Singh surrendering before being killed. Additionally, the court found the CBI’s investigation inadequate, citing insufficient evidence to support the closure of the case.
The court’s order emphasized that killing a person who had surrendered and was in custody cannot be justified as an act of duty. While acknowledging that Anandpal was a wanted criminal, the court ruled that his killing after surrendering was unjustifiable.
The seven police personnel named in the charge sheet are now set to face trial for murder and other related offenses. The accused include Rahul Barhat (then Superintendent of Police, Churu), Vidya Prakash (then CO Kuchaman City), Police Inspector Suryavir Singh, Head Constable Kailash Chandra, and Constables Sohan Singh, Dharampal, and Dharamvir.
The court’s directive stated that the CBI’s closure report is rejected, and cognizance is taken of the crime under Sections 147, 148, 302, 326, 325, 324 read with Section 149 of the IPC. The court instructed the complainant, Mrs. Raj Kanwar, to plead in the case, and the accused are to be summoned according to legal procedures once the witness list and Talwana are presented.
Anandpal Singh was a notorious gangster from the Nagaur district in Rajasthan, wanted in over 24 cases, including murder, robbery, extortion, and gang warfare. A reward of 5 lakh rupees was announced for his capture.
In summary, the court’s decision marks a victory for Anandpal Singh’s family and raises serious questions about the conduct of the police reportedly involved in the encounter. It underscores the importance of accountability in law enforcement and the necessity for thorough investigations in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings.
