Taking suo motu cognisance of a matter pertaining to the murder of two eyewitnesses in separate murder cases, the Haryana Human Rights Commission has sought a report from the Director General of Police seeking to know the steps that were initiated to protect them.
Police inaction
According to a newspaper report, one Puran Chand, a resident of Naraingarh, was shot dead at his house earlier this month.
He was an eyewitness for the murder of Randhir Singh, who in turn was an eyewitness in the murder case of Gurdeep Singh and was shot dead on May 13 last year.
Taking serious view of the matter, the Commission, in its two-page order, observed that the murder of the two eyewitnesses showed inaction and failure on part of the police authorities.
It further said it was the duty of the police to protect the life and the liberty of the persons who were the main witnesses in the heinous crimes.
The order also said the laxity and the lethargic attitude of the police was clear from the fact that Mohit, the accused in the murder case of Randhir Singh, was a frequent visitor to the village, but was not arrested.
The Commission has also sought to know as to why the accused was not arrested.
It also demanded the details of the action initiated against the erring officers.
Headed by Chairperson Justice S.K. Mittal and comprising members Justice K.C. Puri and Deep Bhatia, the Commission has also sought a report from the Additional Chief Secretary, Home, demanding to know as why not to award a suitable compensation to the legal heirs of the two eyewitnesses.
The two reports are to be submitted in six weeks’ time. The matter has been fixed for hearing on September 16.
