Case of Misbehavior and High-Handedness by SHO and Sub-Inspector at Phase-1 Police Station
“Misbehavior with women by the police will not be tolerated at any cost”: Balbir Singh Sidhu
Punjab Newsline, Mohali-
In protest against the increasing high-handedness of the Punjab Police and the atrocities being committed against common people under the patronage of Aam Aadmi Party leaders, a protest demonstration was held today outside the SSP Office, Sector-76, Mohali, under the leadership of senior Congress leader and former Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu. Hundreds of Congress leaders and workers participated in the protest and raised slogans against the Punjab Government and the police administration.
Addressing the gathering, Balbir Singh Sidhu said that at the behest of an Aam Aadmi Party MLA, the SHO and a Sub-Inspector of the Phase-1 police station are unnecessarily harassing innocent citizens. He said that the job of the police is to protect people, not to intimidate or threaten them. However, in Punjab today, the police are being misused under political pressure, which is highly condemnable.
Sidhu further said that incidents of police high-handedness and injustice against common people are continuously coming to light in Punjab. In a similar case, instead of delivering justice to a hardworking woman shopkeeper, the police allegedly intimidated and abused her under the influence of Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh.
The victim woman, who earns her livelihood through her hard work, stated that some miscreants with a regressive mindset harass her daily by using abusive language. When she approached the police station seeking justice and filed a complaint, instead of helping her, the police allegedly threatened and intimidated her and sent her back.
The victim further stated that even recently when she again approached the police station to register a complaint against those individuals, she was denied justice. Instead of listening to her complaint, the police started harassing her and used abusive language against her. The SHO even threatened to put her in jail and subject her to interrogation. Moreover, the police also summoned the President of the Phase-1 Market Committee and several shopkeepers to the police station, misbehaved with them, and made them sit there the entire day.
The victim has demanded that the administration provide her justice and take strict action against those harassing her so that she can continue her work without fear.
Expressing strong resentment over the matter, Sidhu demanded strict action against the police officials involved. He clarified that this is not merely a personal matter but a reflection of the oppressive environment created under the patronage of AAP MLA Kulwant Singh, where common people are being subjected to injustice.
Sidhu strongly urged the Punjab Government to take immediate action considering the seriousness of the case. He demanded that the concerned SHO be transferred immediately and the Sub-Inspector be suspended without delay to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.
He further warned that if no action is taken against these officials, the entire Congress leadership will hold a state-level protest next week and submit a memorandum to the Governor and the DGP. He added that if necessary, they will also approach the Hon’ble High Court in pursuit of justice.
During the protest, Sidhu also strongly condemned the remarks made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding women on the occasion of Women’s Day. He said that a Chief Minister must respect and uphold the dignity of the daughters and sisters of the state, and such remarks do not suit someone holding such a responsible position.
Issuing a warning to AAP MLA Kulwant Singh, Sidhu said that people are watching everything closely and in the 2027 elections the people of Punjab will give a befitting reply. He asserted that the Congress Party will not allow injustice against the people under any circumstances and such excesses will not be tolerated.
The protest also received support beyond party lines from various Bharatiya Kisan Unions, social organisations and leaders of other political parties.
The role of stage secretary during the protest was performed by Harkesh Chand Sharma Machhli Kalan, former Chairman of Market Committee Kharar and senior Congress leader. The gathering was also addressed by Mohali Mayor Amarjeet Singh Jeeti Sidhu, District Mohali Congress Committee President Kamal Kishore Kala, Block Congress Committee Mohali Urban President Jaspreet Singh Gill, Advocate Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, Mohinder Singh (Retd. Inspector) President Punjab Police Welfare Association, Advocate Paramjit Kaur Ladran (SGPC Member), Councillor Harjeet Singh Bholu, Harvinder Singh Mavi, Rajesh Lakhotra, and Neelam, among others.
A large number of Congress leaders, councillors, panchs, sarpanchs and party workers from various villages also participated in the protest.