SC issues notices to Punjab govt on plea of engineer murder accused

New Delhi, Jun 29 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Punjab government on a transfer petition, filed by an advocate, arrested for his alleged involvement in the murder of the suspended Chief Engineer of US-based MNC Quark, in Mohali, Punjab.

A vacation bench comprising Justice A R Lakshmanan and Justice Altamas Kabir issued the notices after hearing the counsel for petitioner Himmat Singh, who contended that the impugned Punjab and Haryana High Court order, dated May 31, was not sustaiable either on facts or law and the rights of the petitioner to a free and fair trial is an integral part of the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The court also stayed, till further orders, the proceedings of the trial court trying the case in Ropar.

Himmat Singh was arrested along with the widow of the deceased Sukhwinderjit Singh, who was shot dead in Mohali by 2 motor-cycle-borne assailants on December 5 last year. The murder took place outsuide Doon Public School in Sector 69.

According to the petitioner, he has been made a 'scapegoat' in the case and was not even remotely connected with the incident. In view of the IT MNC chairman Farhad 'Fred' Ebrahmi' close proximity with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, a free and fair trial in the case was not possible in the state.

The deceased was under suspension since November 21 last year for his alleged involvement in a diesel scam. Some more employees of the company feared exposure and according to the petitioner, the victim was eliminated by them.

Sukhwinderjit Singh and his wife Neki Nalwa had already filed a petition for dissolution of their marriage by mutual consent.

Himmat Singh, alias 'Brandy,' was suspected of illicit relation with the wife of the deceased and according to the allegation, the deceased was murdered to remove the only hurdle in the way of two lovers, who are childhood friends.

UNI AKS/SC VD KP1952