CHANDIGARH, Punjab—The Supreme Court of India on Thursday upheld the removal of five jail employees for their alleged involvement in breaking Burail Jail security in 2004 which allowed escape of three prisoners and Sikh freedom fighters Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, Bhai Parmjit Singh Bheora and Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara.
These Sikhs are facing trial in Former Punjab Chief minister Beant “Singh” assassination case. They had escaped from the Model Jail in Burail, Chandigarh, by digging a 94 feet long and about two feet wide tunnel.
The staff who were dismissed are Ved Mitter Gill and Dalbir Singh Sandhu, both were Deputy Superintendents of Police, Paramjit Singh Rana, Assistant Superintendent, Nishan Singh and Inder Singh, who were Head Warder and Warder respectively.
Justices Jagdish Singh Khehar and SA Bobde rejected the dismissed jail staff’s contention that the Chandigarh Police Department, which was responsible for the supervisory control over jail inmates, had to be blamed for the escape of the prisoners, and not them. The judges said that an evaluation of their duties and responsibilities showed that they were responsible for the escape.
Vahiguroo