India, Punjab: SSP Raj Jit Singh Hundal has received the virtual clean chit in the investigation, raising hopes for other police officers who have been fighting for justice in several irrelevant criminal cases.
Recently, the Special Investigation Team submitted three reports and did not indicate any police officer in their investigation. While making significant development, the reports disclosed that Raj Jit Singh PPS, a key figure in the case, was not involved in any illegal activities in the past. The SIT, which functioned under the directives of India’s Punjab and Haryana High Court, added that SSP Singh had remained an honest police officer.
The SIT reports was proved to be one of the major assistance for the law enforcement authorities and police to maintain and uphold their integrity and respect. Now, the reports will determine the course of action of the Punjab government against individuals involved in a high-profile case, as the Punjab and Haryana High Court gave the report to the government on March 28, 2023.
Further, Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Mann asserted that they will take necessary action against the culprits, showcasing the efforts of the government in maintaining law and order in the state. While giving the clean chit to SSP Rajjit Singh Hundal, the SIT reports stated that they had conducted a thorough investigation and found no link between SSP and dismissed Punjab Police Inspector Inderjit Singh. Emphasizing the significance of the fair and unbiased investigation, the SIT reports cleared the name of SSP Rajjit Singh in the case.
The high-profile case was in the hands of the Special Investigation Team on December 15, 2017, and the key members were the then Special DGP (human rights) Sidharth Chattopadhyaya and the Director of the Bureau of Investigation, Punjab, as well as the then IG ATS (Intelligence) Kunwar Vijay Partap.
The investigation was laid out by then STF Chief Harpreet Sidhu. After Raj Jit Singh filed a petition in the High Court, the SIT was established in which Sidhu was accused of being biased against him. The main aim of the SIT was to unveil the truth behind the involvement of Raj Jit Singh Hundal, as stated in FIR No. 1 from June 12, 2017, at the special task force police station in Mohali. This FIR is related to the recovery of 6 kg of heroin from Inderjit by the STF.
Inderjit was to be posted as an inspector in the Tarn Taran district in 2013, claiming his urgent need in the district where Raj Jit was assigned as the SSP. After SSP was transferred to Hoshairpur, he wrote a recommendation letter to IGP and called Inderjit a hardworking officer.
Known for a brief, yet controversial tenure, Inspector Inderjeet Singh served under Raj Jit Singh for a time period of 14 months. At the same time, it is noteworthy that Inderjeet has subordinated various other officers for durations that on average, exceeded two years.
Considering Inderjeet’s experience in working with multiple officers of a diverse range, the contribution of Raj Jit Singh in his career cannot be looked at as a major one. From a broader perspective, his career has been a reflective of the collective experience he has acquired throughout his tenure.
Thus, a fair decision to provide a virtual clean chit to Raj Jit Singh has been the recipient of accolades from many, as it is being perceived as a significant step in ensuring justice for the falsely accused innocent ones. Thus, citizens look at its broader impact on the prevalence of just legal setup in India.
It must be noted that Raj Jit Singh PPS, despite being an esteemed police official in Punjab with an exemplary service record, has been a victim of false accusations of being involved in drug peddling. While the real culprits of the same continue with the same deeds without any action being inflicted towards them.