The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court in Chandigarh recently heard a significant plea regarding the release of seized jewellery in a high-profile disproportionate assets case involving police officials. The application has brought renewed attention to the ongoing investigation against a serving police inspector and his wife, both members of the Chandigarh Police force.
Wife Seeks Release of Jewellery for Family Wedding
Paramjit Kaur Sekhon, who serves as an Inspector with the Chandigarh Police, has formally approached the CBI special court seeking the release of jewellery valued at approximately Rs 30 lakh. The jewellery has remained in the agency's custody for the past two years as part of their investigation into alleged disproportionate assets accumulated by her and her husband, Inspector Harinder Singh Sekhon.
In her application, Kaur presented a personal justification for the request, stating that she requires the jewellery for her nephew's upcoming wedding scheduled for next month. This family occasion has prompted her legal move to reclaim the seized items that she claims were purchased through her legitimate earnings.
Legal Arguments Presented Before the Court
The courtroom proceedings revealed contrasting positions from both parties involved in this legal matter. Kaur's legal representatives argued that the jewellery is no longer necessary for investigative purposes, presenting several key points to support their position.
Kaur's primary arguments included:
- The jewellery was purchased from her personal earnings and legitimate sources
- The CBI has already completed examination of her bank locker and assessed the jewellery's value
- She had previously written to the CBI on January 21 requesting the jewellery's release but received no response
- With the valuation process complete, retaining the ornaments serves no further investigative purpose
CBI's Opposition to the Release Request
Public prosecutor Narender Singh, representing the Central Bureau of Investigation, strongly opposed the application during court proceedings. The agency maintained that releasing the seized jewellery at this stage could potentially compromise their ongoing investigation.
The CBI's position emphasized that:
- The investigation against the couple remains active and ongoing
- The agency is currently analyzing multiple aspects including bank accounts, properties, and jewellery
- Premature release of seized items could adversely affect the probe's integrity
- The comprehensive examination of assets requires maintaining custody of all seized materials
Background of the Disproportionate Assets Case
The current legal situation traces its origins to a bribery investigation initiated by the CBI approximately three years ago. That initial probe led to the arrest of a Chandigarh Police constable and two middlemen for allegedly accepting a bribe amounting to Rs 7 lakh.
During that investigation, Inspector Harinder Singh Sekhon's name surfaced in connection with allegations that the bribe was being collected in his name. Although no direct evidence established his involvement in the bribery case, the CBI subsequently launched a separate disproportionate assets investigation targeting both Sekhon and his wife.
The agency's findings reportedly indicated that the couple had accumulated assets nearly 80 percent higher than their known sources of income, prompting the seizure of various assets including the jewellery now under dispute.
Court Proceedings and Anticipated Decision
Following thorough arguments from both legal teams, the CBI special court has reserved its order on the matter. The judicial decision regarding the release of the seized jewellery is expected to be pronounced on January 31, bringing clarity to this contentious aspect of the ongoing investigation.
The case continues to highlight the challenges in balancing investigative requirements with individual rights during prolonged probes into alleged financial irregularities among public officials.
