Reinstatement of convicted cop Gurmeet Pinki turns into murky deal

CHANDIGARH: The reinstatement of controversial and convicted Police Cap and a former police cat Gurmeet Singh Pinki has become a murky deal and spotlight is on the conduct of Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and DGP Sumedh Singh Saini. Though orders of Pinki’s reinstatement were revoked by ADGP but it has left a trail of questions. The major point is can a DIG level officer dare to reinstate such a controversial cop without taking Deputy Chief Minister and DGP into confidence ?
The reports suggest that BJP the ruling partner of SAD in the government was exerting pressure on Sukhbir Badal to reinstate Pinki who is seen as savior of Hindus. Pinki a former member of Babbar Khalsa International had turned police cat and on his identification several Sikh militants were killed by police. Pinki is considered a blue eyed boy of Sumedh Singh Saini who also managed to secure his release from jail after seven years even before completing ten years mandatory sentence for life prisoners. Pinki was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Avat Singh a young boy of Ludhiana whom Pinki had shot dead in fit of rage. Governor of Punjab had commuted the sentence of Pinki on the recommendations of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.Pinki was dismissed from service on November 2006 after his conviction. He was released from Nabha open jail in June 2014. DIG Ludhiana range Gurinder Singh Dhillon on May 16, 2015 issued orders to set aside the dismissal order of Pinki and in his seven page order Dhillon said,” dismissal is not a must even if a government employee is convicted in a criminal case”. He has described Pinki “an asset for the Police Department”. Dhillon noted that killing a boy Avtar Singh was over reaction of Pinki. He noted in his order, “The quality and quantity done by this ex-police man was outstanding on the terror front”. He also mentioned that Pinki was given President’s gallantary award for nabbing Khalistan terrorist Jagtar Singh Hawara in a live encounter in December 1995. The speculations are rife that Pinki may move court against ADGP order which set aside his reinstatement done on May 16, 2015. The orders issued by Gurinder Dhillon seems to ahve been made with the help of legal experts. Dhillon has even quoted a ruling by Justice A.K.Sikri of the Punjab and Haryana High Court that death with dismissal of convicted employees. Pinki had in November 2014 after his release from jail had moved an appeal to reinstate him in service. He was Inspector in Fatehgarh Sahib CIA staff before he was convicted. He had submitted his application to SSP Fatehgarh Sahib who forwarded to DIG Ludhiana range with his recommendations.
Pinki reported to have met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi yesterday with the help of a senior BJP leader who is favouring Pinki’s reinstatement. It is not known if Rajnath Singh had given any undertaking to Pinki or not. There is possibility that Badal would give in to pressure from BJP to reinstate Pinki.
The decision to reinstate Pinki has political fallout. It seems BJP has taken up the case to appease Hindu population. The cops like Pinki were considered protectors of Hindus during days of terrorism in Punjab. The move to reinstate Pinki has however been condemned by radical Sikh organisations like Dal Khalsa. The radical Sikhs criticized Badal for allowing Pinki out of jail and keeping hundreds of Sikhs in jails even after they have completed their jail term.
Meanwhile, Dhillon was shifted to Police headquarter and Deputy Chief Minister has ordered a inquiry and sought report with seven days how Dhillon had passed the orders to reinstate Pinki.
Punjab and Haryana High court would also here a petition filed by Amrik Singh father of Avtar Singh on July 24 in which Amrik Singh has challenged premature release of Pinki from jail Amrik Singh has also filed a fresh complaint with the police in which he has alleged Pinki is threatening him to withdraw the petition from High Court.