”My name is Hari Ram, presently lodged in Tihar Jail, on absolutely false charges”.
These were the starting words of the first sentence of a few lines hurriedly scribbled on a postcard, received in our daily mail, about complaints against the high handedness of our elite police force.These simple words had a stunning sensational effect on my senses.
Petitioner further stated about his several unsuccessful attempts, in approaching various authorities, who failed to provide him desired relief. Complainant was a soldier of the Indian army, who belonged to the border district of Gurdaspur Punjab, but forced to flee on account of prevailing terrorism, presently posted in Delhi cantonment.
After making extensive efforts he accumulated funds barely sufficient for purchase of small family apartment in east Delhi.Being new in atmosphere of sprawling unfriendly metropolitan city, was unable to find suitable person who could negotiate on his behalf in finding a accommodation matching his requirements.He unknowingly landed himself into prying talons of a hungry hawk.
Sher Singh was a tout operating a sort of broker, an intermediary who helped in execution of nefarious deals between shady persons. Sher Singh was soft spoken, with his sweet promising talk easily luring simple army men, convincing him to get affordable housing within one million rupees. Hari Ram paid him almost half the amount, from his hard earned cum borrowed money.
Considerable time elapsed but no progress was made by Sher Singh towards clinching any suitable deal.On being repeatedly pestering, Sher SIngh became annoyed, sought help of a well acquainted police officer of North District for “fixing” him.Both of them cooked a plan for permanently removing him from the scene since he appeared in form of a perennial prickly thorn.
On one Saturday Sher Singh asked him to meet him at Delhi-UP Apsara border, with instruction to carry his army identity card and two bottles of CSD XXX rum.They met at a designated place on the highway, Sher Singh asked Hari Ram to place bottles of rum in the bag he carried.
A TSR ( auto rickshaw ) was hired and the driver was asked to proceed towards north Delhi, at Roshanara Road. At a specific place TSR was parked on the roadside, on the pretext of relieving himself and proceeding towards a nearby urinal.
After a few minutes a sub-inspector Ram Naresh, along with two policemen appeared at the scene, started questioning Hari Ram’s antecedents.On searching the bag of Sher Singh, two bottles of XXX rum and a few kg. poppy husks were recovered. Hari Ram along with TSR was taken to Pratap Bagh Police Station, he was slapped with a case under NDPS act. No one listened to his wailing woes, his I-card and bottles of rum were sufficient to prove his identity.
Corps of Military Police (CMP) personnel arrived, they were informed about the army man’s conduct regarding possession of contraband material, they concurred with the police contention. No one listened to the plebeian’s sincere pleadings.Hari Ram was sent to judicial lock-up at Tihar Jail, in this non-bailable offence, which he had never committed. From jail he petitioned The President, PM, HM, CJI, LG, failing to get any appropriate relief.
Our detailed investigation clearly established the deceitful nefarious nexus between Sher Singh and SI Ram Naresh.Meanwhile finding themselves into a deeper quagmire, policemen booked Sher Singh in fresh NDPS case, dispatching him to Tihar Jail, probably fearing that he might spill the beans.Now the onus of saving an honest diligent person from wrongful confinement of law became our prime humanitarian duty.
On visiting Tihar Jail I met both Sher SIngh and Hari Ram separately.Sher Singh refused to give a statement required for proving the innocence of Hari Ram.
In jail a two tier system operates, one at official level and other at the level of its hardened inmates, the second being more effective and powerful. Seeking active help from both, entreating them to make sure that Sher Singh realizes that jackals like him were at the mercy of big carnivorous lions. The simple trick worked.
At the next meeting after a gap of fortnight, he willingly recorded proof of Hari Ram’s innocence in his own handwritten statement, endorsed by the Jail official and myself. Thereafter sought necessary permission from Lt. Governor who is the competent authority for withdrawal of case under NDPS act.
The Sessions Judge, while hearing the withdrawal petition made several unsavory comments about the police working.
“You policemen are highly obnoxious creatures, first you indict an innocent person under a serious offence and thereafter petition for withdrawal of case against him”.The SHO Ram Chander remorsefully acknowledged his negligence in believing SI Ram Naresh.
On being pressurized, as a goodwill gesture, the entire Police Station staff made an unconditional commitment to provide monetary help for sustenance of Hari Ram’s family, who had earlier been evicted by army from its housing colony.Such a arrangement was to remain in currency till restoration of Hari Ram’s army job.
The SI Ram Naresh and Inspector Ram Chander received adequate punishment. SI was dismissed from the service, Inspector was denied regular timely increments, promotions and remained posted to non-sensitive police units.
Riding a tiger, no doubt remains a romantic experience for all of us, but the pivotal fact must not be forgotten about our imminent plight upon dismounting from a tiger?
( Author of the write up is a former Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Police)
