CBI Files Chargesheets in Two High-Profile Cases Against Chandigarh Police Officers
The Central Bureau of Investigation took decisive action on Monday. It filed chargesheets in two separate cases involving officers from the Chandigarh Police. These cases highlight serious allegations of misconduct within the police force.
Dentist Abduction Case: A Timeline of Events
In the first case, the CBI has chargesheeted former Crime Branch Inspector Harinder Singh Sekhon. Several other policemen face charges as well. They stand accused of kidnapping a city dentist, Dr. Mohit Dhawan.
The FIR in this matter was registered nearly six months after the Supreme Court issued a directive. The apex court ordered the CBI to conduct a preliminary probe into the alleged abduction. Chandigarh Police personnel supposedly abducted Dr. Dhawan to prevent his court appearance.
Dr. Mohit Dhawan, a resident of Sector 21 and a practicing dentist, made serious allegations. He claimed that policemen abducted him without any justification. This incident occurred outside the district courts in Sector 43.
According to his complaint, Dr. Dhawan had approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He was seeking anticipatory bail in a criminal case. The court directed him to appear before the district court.
On January 7, 2022, Dr. Dhawan reached the court premises. A Crime Branch Police team allegedly picked him up at the entry gate. Their apparent goal was to stop him from appearing before the court.
The police produced him before the court the following day. They obtained a seven-day remand. Dr. Dhawan remained lodged in jail for nearly two months.
After securing bail, he moved the high court against the involved policemen. The high court then directed the Punjab Police to form a Special Investigation Team. This SIT was tasked with probing the matter.
The Chandigarh Administration challenged this order in the Supreme Court. In August 2024, the Supreme Court modified the high court’s order. It handed over the investigation to the CBI.
The CBI ultimately booked seven Chandigarh policemen. The list includes Inspector Harinder Sekhon, Sub-Inspector Suresh Kumar, and Assistant Sub-Inspector Ajmer Singh. Head Constable Anil Kumar, Constable Vikas Hooda, Constable Subhash, and Constable Neeraj Kumar also face charges.
They face charges under section 365 of the Indian Penal Code. This section deals with kidnapping or abducting someone to wrongfully confine them. The charges are read with section 34, concerning acts done by several persons with common intention.
Evidence Tampering Case: Manipulation for Benefit
The second case involves allegations of evidence tampering. The CBI registered an FIR following a preliminary inquiry. The targets were Chandigarh Police Inspector Ram Rattan Sharma and Sub Inspector Satyawan.
The inquiry alleged these officers benefited an accused in a sexual harassment case. It began based on communication from the office of the Chandigarh DGP. The communication alleged misconduct and corrupt activities in case registration and investigation.
The CBI inquiry focused on FIR No. 62, dated April 4, 2022. This FIR was registered under sections 354, 354(d), 294, 506, 509, and 384 of the IPC. It was based on a complaint by a woman at the Industrial Area police station.
After the FIR registration, police arrested the accused on April 4, 2022, at 10:10 PM. A Sub-Inspector conducted a personal search and seized a mobile phone. The phone was an Apple iPhone 12.
The inquiry revealed that the investigation was transferred to SI Satyawan. This transfer happened on the verbal direction of Inspector/SHO Ram Rattan. The previous SI handed over the police file and the seized mobile to Satyawan on the evening of April 5, 2022.
According to the CBI, the mobile phone was not sealed. Officials claimed they were using it for interrogating the accused.
The inquiry made further disturbing revelations. Inspector Ram Rattan and SI Satyawan allegedly conspired with others. They dishonestly replaced the seized iPhone 12, along with its SIM card. This action was taken to give undue benefit to the accused.
The CBI alleged that the accused, a UT policeman, returned the mobile phone and SIM card to the accused. A different phone, an iPhone 7 without a SIM card, was then placed on the case record.
The accused police officers allegedly destroyed the original seizure memo dated April 4, 2022. They then created a false seizure memo dated April 9, 2022. This was done to justify their illegal acts.
Forensic examination confirmed the switch. On April 4, 2022, the accused was using an Apple iPhone 12 at the police station. However, the mobile phone sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory was an iPhone 7. It had a different IMEI number and no SIM card.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The CBI has now completed its investigation in both cases. It filed the chargesheets in the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class Neelam. This marks a significant step in holding the accused officers accountable.
The first chargesheet pertains to the 2025 case against the Crime Branch Inspector. The second addresses the 2024 case involving the then Industrial Area police station SHO and Sub-Inspector.
These developments underscore the CBI's role in investigating serious allegations against law enforcement. They also highlight the judicial oversight ensuring such matters reach their logical conclusion.
The cases will now proceed through the legal system. The courts will examine the evidence and charges presented by the CBI. This process aims to deliver justice and maintain public trust in policing institutions.
