Farmer found seriously injured, not detained: Haryana Police tells court

Chandigarh:

The Haryana Police on Monday informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that protesting farmer Preetpal Singh was found seriously injured in the fields and was admitted to the hospital, but refused to take him into custody.

Jind Superintendent of Police Sumit Kumar told this to the court through a status report through an affidavit during the hearing of the habeas corpus petition filed by Preetpal Singh’s father.

On Saturday, Preetpal was transferred from PGI Rohtak to PGIMER Chandigarh after the Punjab Chief Secretary wrote a letter to his Haryana counterpart demanding handing over the farmer to state authorities.

Preetpal was injured in a clash during the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha on February 21 at the Khanauri border.

According to the affidavit of Jind SP, thousands of farmers had tried to forcefully break the barricade and had also surrounded police personnel and central forces and pelted stones at them. Farmers also poured chilli powder on the stubble and set it on fire.

The police argued in the court that after dispersing the protesters, Preetpal was found seriously injured in the fields adjacent to the barricades.

According to the affidavit, Preetpal was admitted to Civil Hospital, Narwana, Jind on February 21, from where he was referred to PGIMS, Rohtak.

According to the affidavit, the family members of the petitioner were well aware of his health condition and his admission to PGIMS Rohtak. The affidavit states that this fact is certified by the ‘ICU Stay Consent’ signed by Preetpal’s relatives.

“In view of the above, it is clear that Preetpal was never detained by the local police, rather he was immediately admitted to the civil hospital. He entered the territorial jurisdiction of the state of Punjab,” the Haryana Police plea said. Preetpal is a liar and has been in denial, the police said in the affidavit.

“The contention/allegation of the petitioner that the alleged detainee was picked up by the Haryana Police at 2 pm on 21st February and further injuries were inflicted on him by the Haryana Police after the detention, is also borne out by the fact that Preetpal was subsequently He was found in injured condition on February 21 at 12.30 pm and was immediately shifted to the Civil Hospital,” Haryana Police said.

The police also denied the claims made in the petition that Haryana Police entered the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab and abducted Preetpal.

Police said they had set up barricades 500 meters away from the Punjab border, while the protesters were camping 90 meters away from the barricades.

According to the affidavit, it is clear from the ongoing arguments that Preetpal was never detained by the local police, but was found seriously injured in the fields near the barricades.

Farmer leaders leading the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march had alleged that on February 21, Haryana security personnel beat up some farmers and took them away.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia had alleged that Preetpal Singh was “kidnapped” by the Haryana Police and injured.

He had claimed that Preetpal Singh was “kidnapped” when he had gone to distribute ‘langar’ in Khanauri.

Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are leading ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to put pressure on the government to accept their demands including legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops and farm loan waiver. Have been.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)