Amritsar--A Punjab jail is in the thick of controversy after woman dancers performed on its premises during a Baisakhi function allegedly organised by an undertrial in a murder case. The undertrial is alleged to have close links with a political bigwig.
A report by Amritsar Jail Superintendent R K Sharma submitted to Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) R K Meena on Thursday has noted that the function held on April 14 to celebrate Baisakhi at Patti sub jail in Tarn Taran district was in violation of the norms.
“As per the guidelines issued by the department, prior permission needs to taken to hold such a function, which was projected as a religious function by the jail authorities. Permission, either from jails department or from district magistrate, was required to hold such a function, which was not taken,” Sharma added.
In the report, Sharma has also noted that the image of the jails department has been “tarnished” by organising such a function.
He added dancers were brought from Fatehgarh Churian in Gurdaspur district for a sum of Rs 13,000 for the function.
Seen in the programme that followed after a religious ceremony was a murder case accused — Sarwan Singh Bhagupur — sitting next to Patti Jail deputy superintendent Davinder Singh Randhawa on a chair. “The undertrial had a back problem, which is why he sat on a chair next to me,” said Randhawa when contacted.
The accused is lodged in Patti jail in connection with the 2013 murder of Congress activist Sukhraj Singh Bhagupur.
Indian Express
