A CBI court has sentenced two retired Punjab Police officers, both in their seventies, to life in prison for their role in the 1992 fake encounter of an Army jawan and a farmer.
The verdict comes over 32 and a half years after the incident when the state was reeling under the militancy, according to a Times of India report.
The victims were wrongly accused of being terrorists involved in a murder case.
The convicted officers, Gurbhinder Singh (former SHO of Majitha police station) and Parshotam Singh (former ASI), were found guilty of murder and conspiracy charges.
The incident dates back to July 1992, when police arrested Baldev Singh (Deba) and Lakhwinder Singh (Lakha) for their alleged role in the killing of a Punjab minister’s son. On September 13, 1992, the cops shot them dead, claiming they were terrorists.
However, a CBI investigation revealed that Deba was an Army soldier taken from his home on September 6, 1992, while Lakha was arrested on September 12, 1992, along with Kulwant Singh. There were no official records of their arrests.
Kulwant was later released, while Deba and Lakha were killed in a staged encounter.
Advocate Sarabjit Verka, who fought for the victims' families, said police falsely branded the men as criminals.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.
