Chandigarh, February 27
The Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Friday urged the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to take suo motu cognizance of the killing of 19-year-old Ranjit Singh in an alleged police encounter, and to order an independent, time-bound, high-level probe into the matter.
Bajwa visited the bereaved family of Ranjit Singh at Adian village to personally hear their account of the incident. After meeting the grieving family members, he said their version of events raises serious and disturbing questions that cannot be ignored in a democratic society governed by the rule of law.
“The 50-kilometre belt around the international border fence falls under the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF), which is a joint responsibility of the Centre and the Punjab Government. Therefore, accountability cannot be deflected or diluted,” Bajwa said.
Bajwa strongly backed the family’s demand that the post-mortem examination be conducted either at PGI Chandigarh or AIIMS Delhi, as they have lost faith in the Punjab Police. “When a family expresses such deep mistrust in the state machinery, it reflects the gravity of the situation. I fully support their demand for an independent and credible post-mortem,” he added.
Bajwa further demanded that the investigation be handed over either to a sitting judge of the High Court or to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure transparency and impartiality. “Only a probe conducted under judicial supervision or by an independent central agency can restore public confidence and ensure that the truth prevails before the entire Punjab,” he asserted.
Bajwa said the people of Punjab are emotionally invested in this case and are closely watching developments. “The citizens of Punjab want to know the truth — whether Ranjit Singh and others were indeed involved in the killing of two police personnel, and if so, to what extent. Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.”
Recalling Punjab’s painful history, Bajwa warned against repeating past mistakes. “Punjab has witnessed prolonged periods of turmoil. For nearly 15 years, the state remained deeply disturbed. We have seen the consequences of excesses and unchecked actions. We cannot afford to revisit that dark chapter.”
Launching a scathing attack on the AAP-led Punjab Government, Bajwa said that since it assumed power, the law and order situation in the state has deteriorated alarmingly. “The law and order machinery appears to have been left rudderless and at the mercy of God. Such incidents further erode public trust in institutions meant to protect citizens.”
Bajwa concluded by reiterating the urgent need for a fair, transparent, and time-bound investigation. “This is not merely about one family. It is about justice, accountability, and the rule of law in Punjab. The truth must come out, and those responsible — whatever they may be — must be held accountable.”
