Ludhiana Police Officer Suspended After Shocking Delay in Assault FIR

In a decisive move underscoring the commitment to justice and accountability, Inspector Amarjeet Singh, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Ludhiana's Tibba police station, has been suspended following a grave delay in registering a First Information Report (FIR) concerning a brutal assault. This swift action by Ludhiana Commissioner of Police (CP) Kuldeep Singh Chahal sends a clear message about adherence to protocol and the timely delivery of justice.

The incident at the heart of this disciplinary action involved Sukhwinder Singh, who endured a severe assault by members of a rival group on September 25, near the Tibba Canal.

According to reports, Singh was mercilessly attacked, sustaining injuries that warranted immediate police intervention and the formal lodging of a complaint.

Shockingly, instead of proceeding with the mandated legal process, SHO Amarjeet Singh is alleged to have attempted to resolve the serious matter through a compromise between the victim and the assailants.

This deviation from standard procedure meant that for an unacceptable period, no FIR was registered, leaving the victim without official recourse and potentially jeopardizing the investigation.

Frustrated by the delay and the perceived lack of proper action, Sukhwinder Singh bravely escalated his complaint directly to the Commissioner of Police, Kuldeep Singh Chahal.

Taking the allegations with the utmost seriousness, CP Chahal promptly ordered a thorough inquiry into the conduct of the Tibba SHO. The investigation quickly revealed the validity of the complainant's claims, confirming the unwarranted delay and the improper attempt at a compromise.

Upon finding Inspector Amarjeet Singh guilty of dereliction of duty and a significant lapse in judgment, CP Chahal did not hesitate.

The SHO was immediately suspended, emphasizing that such delays in serious cases will not be tolerated. Subsequently, an FIR was finally registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), 506 (criminal intimidation), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), and 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object).

To ensure continuity and reaffirm the police station's operational efficiency, Inspector Mohammad Jameel has been appointed as the new SHO of the Tibba police station.

This development serves as a stark reminder that public trust in law enforcement hinges on promptness, integrity, and strict adherence to legal procedures, particularly in cases involving violence and victimisation.