Mansa Police ASI Faces Serious Charges After Alleged Assault and Robbery
In a shocking incident that has raised serious questions about police conduct, an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of the Mansa police in Punjab has been arrested on grave charges including attempt to murder and robbery. The alleged crime occurred on the intervening night of February 8 and 9, leaving a local resident injured and hospitalized.
Details of the Alleged Attack
According to the official complaint filed by Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Jhanduke village, the incident began when he was driving his Toyota Innova towards Muktsar to attend a wedding. A few kilometers outside Mansa, a uniformed policeman signaled him to stop. The officer, later identified as ASI Dhanna Singh, requested a lift to Singo village.
After traveling some distance together, the situation took a violent turn. The ASI allegedly picked up Gurpreet's licensed pistol from the vehicle's dashboard. He then demanded that Gurpreet stop the car and proceeded to assault him physically.
Escalation to Attempted Murder
When Gurpreet resisted the attack, the situation escalated dangerously. The police officer allegedly opened fire with the stolen weapon, though fortunately the shot missed its target. After beating Gurpreet severely, the accused fled the scene with both the licensed pistol and the victim's SUV, leaving the injured man stranded on the roadside.
The victim managed to reach Mansa Civil Hospital where he received medical treatment for his injuries. He formally recorded his statement with police authorities on Tuesday, detailing the entire traumatic experience.
Police Response and Arrest
Senior police officials have confirmed the basic facts of the case. Mansa SSP Bhagirath Singh Meena and DSP Buta Singh verified that ASI Dhanna Singh, who holds ORP rank and was posted in the police lines, did indeed take a lift from the complainant before carrying out the alleged assault, weapon theft, and vehicle robbery.
A formal case has been registered at Mansa Sadar police station under multiple sections including:
- Attempt to murder
- Robbery
- Voluntarily causing hurt
The accused ASI was arrested late Tuesday following the registration of the case. The swift action by police authorities in apprehending one of their own demonstrates the seriousness with which they are treating these allegations.
Broader Implications
This incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and raises important questions about police accountability and conduct. The fact that a serving police officer stands accused of such serious crimes against a civilian he was supposed to protect represents a significant breach of public trust.
The case continues to develop as investigators gather additional evidence and prepare for legal proceedings. The arrest of a police officer on charges of this magnitude is relatively rare and underscores the determination of senior officials to address misconduct within their ranks.
