High court raps Punjab Police for probe in graft case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has pulled up police for conducting investigations in a highly "unprofessional" manner in an embezzlement case.

The rap came up during the hearing of an anticipatory bail plea filed by Manmohan Maheshwari against the state government on May 31.

Justice Fateh Deep Singh observed that the investigations in the case are highly unprofessional and needs to be properly supervised.

"As the entire records, as has been discovered during the course of hearing, have not been taken into possession by the investigating officer, impels this court to issue directions to the police authorities concerned to ensure that the administration of justice does not suffer on that score," the judge observed.
 

The allegations against the petitioner were that he was employed as a salesman with the complainant Gaushala in Bathinda where he was deputed to deal with cash regarding sale of green fodder in April.

During the course of his employment he had embezzled a total amount of Rs 15.29 lakh of which he returned Rs 1.46 lakh after defalcation was discovered and has also confessed of his involvement in usurping the money of the Gaushala.

His counsel H P S Ishar contended that the petitioner was allowed interim bail by the lower court and that there is no semblance of evidence to bring about his posting and handling of cash enabling him to deal with the same and in fact it was the wrongdoings of the management of the gaushala to which the petitioner opposed has led to his false implication and that nothing is to be recovered from him.

The bail application was opposed by state counsel K D S Sidhu, Additional Advocate General of Punjab, assisted by Abhinav Gupta, advocate representing the complainant, on the ground that huge amount of money is involved and there is documentary proof of Maheshwari's wrongdoings including CCTV footage and his confession necessitate his custodial interrogation.

Finding no merit in the petition, the court dismissed it.