A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Mohali delivered a significant verdict on Saturday, acquitting three individuals, including the current mayor of Mohali, in a murder case that has stretched over 15 years. The court ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to establish their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The Acquittals and the Sole Conviction
The court cleared Mohali mayor Amarjeet Singh, also known as Jeeti Sidhu, along with former sarpanch Kulwant Singh and Jatinder Singh. All three were accused in the killing of Ratan Singh. However, in a partial victory for the prosecution, the court convicted a fourth accused, Dilbar Singh, a relative of Kulwant Singh.
Dilbar Singh was found guilty under Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code, as well as relevant provisions of the Arms Act. The court announced that his sentencing would take place on December 24.
Roots of the Case: A Fatal Family Feud
The case traces back to a violent incident on December 19, 2010, in Baliyali village, located in the Kharar area of Mohali. The conflict originated from a long-running family dispute between Kulwant Singh and Harjinder Singh. According to reports, the immediate trigger was an argument over vehicle parking, which rapidly escalated.
The situation turned deadly when firing erupted from both sides. Ratan Singh, father of complainant Harjinder Singh, sustained fatal gunshot injuries and died. Several members of Kulwant Singh's family were also injured in the clash. Based on Harjinder Singh's statement, the Mohali police initially registered a murder case.
A Twisted Investigation and CBI Takeover
The investigation took several dramatic turns. Harjinder Singh later alleged that Amarjeet Singh (Jeeti Sidhu), the brother of then Congress MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu, was also involved in the murder. Dissatisfied with the pace and direction of the local police probe, Harjinder approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Acting on the high court's directives, the investigation was handed over to the CBI on October 12, 2012. The federal agency's probe uncovered multiple serious lapses in the initial investigation conducted by the Mohali police. Key shortcomings identified by the CBI included:
- Delays of several months in recording crucial eyewitness statements.
- Failure to file the chargesheet within the stipulated timeframe.
- Not taking the accused into police remand for questioning.
- Failing to send recovered weapons for forensic examination.
During the trial, further details emerged, suggesting the incident was sparked by an altercation involving knocking on the door of Kulwant Singh's house. After a detailed investigation, the CBI submitted its findings to the court, which ultimately led to the acquittal of three accused based on the quality of evidence presented during the trial.
