Farmers Protest | High Court Directs CJM To Record Statement Of Protestor Who Was Allegedly Beaten & Detained By Haryana Police

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) to record the statement of the protestor who was allegedly detained and severely beaten by Haryana Police during Farmers' Protest on February 21.

A bench of Justice Harkesh Manuja said, "the Chief Judicial Magistrate Chandigarh is requested to visit Emergency Ward, PGIMER, Chandigarh and get the statement of Preetpal Singh recorded as regards the circumstances surrounding the injuries sustained by him, after obtaining necessary permission from the treating doctors."

The youth's father had moved a habeas corpus petition alleging that the Haryana Police picked up his son from within the boundaries of Punjab for being part of "peaceful farmers agitation".

An affidavit denying these allegations was filed by the Haryana government. It claims the youth was found severely injured in the fields adjoining the barricades installed at the borders of the two states. Considering his health condition, Preetpal Singh was immediately sent to be admitted to the Civil Hospital.

The Court had requested the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh to get a medical board constituted to opine about the injuries sustained by Preetpal Singh.

The Medical Board submitted that Singh received various grievous and simple injuries. 

After the Court was informed by the petitioner's counsel that Singh was in a fit condition to give his statement, the Court opined "considering the nature of multiple grievous injuries sustained by the petitioner, in addition to the medical opinion expressed by the Board of medical Officers...it would be appropriate that the statement/version of Preetpal Singh be recorded which has not been done so far."

The Court also directed the CJM to record the statement of Singh, regarding the FIR lodged on the incident of violence during the protest under Sections 147, 148, 149, 186, 188, 307, 332, 353, 427 and 506 of IPC and Section 25(1B)(a) of Arms Act, 1959.

The matter is now listed for March 15, for further consideration.

Counsel for the petitioner Advocate Ish Puneet Singh

Counsel for the State of Haryana Gurmeet Singh, AAG.

Siddharth Sandhu, AAG, Punjab for Respondents No.2 and 4.

Deepali Verma, Advocate for Naveen S. Bhardwaj, Advocate for respondent no.5.

Title: Devender Singh v. State of Haryana & others

 Click here to read/download the order