Two prosecution witnesses depose in Badal case

Rupnagar, Jan 3 (UNI) Two more prosecution witnesses in the disproportionate assets case against Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and others deposed in the court of Rupnagar Special Judge G S Saran here today.

Of the six prosecution witnesses summoned, only two witnesses -- Oriental Bank of Commerce, Maharana Partap Chowk Karnal branch manager Gurinder Singh Brar and retired DSP Darshan Singh appeared in court for deposition and supported the prosecution's version.

However, four other witnesses--Bharat Shah of Mumbai, DSP vigilance Jaspal Singh, Kuldeep Singh and R K Chohan of Mansa could not make it as service of summons could not be made to them.

In his deposition, Gurinder Singh Brar said he had delivered the attested copies of vouchers, statement of account and account opening form with regard to the account of Raghubir Inder Singh of village Mira Ghati Karnal, account of Sampuran Singh Kaur and the account of Raghujit Singh to DSP vigilance to vide letter dated August 10, 2003.

The second prosecution witness Darshan Singh said in the month of July 2003, he was posted as DSP, EO wing, Vigilance bureau.

He, under the supervision of SP vigilance bureau J S Kahlon along with other members of police force and member of the technical team, had visited the Balasar farm of Parkash Singh Badal on July 17, 2003 and as per the orders of the court conducted search and videography of the farm on July 17 and 18, 2003.

However, during the search, no incrimating articles were recovered.

He said video film was prepared by police photographer Balraj Singh and which was produced before SP Amarjit Singh and the same was taken to police possession vide a recovery memo, signed by him and by K S Bhinder and Balraj Singh.

Today all the accused, except Parkash Singh Badal and his wife Surinder Kaur Badal were present in the court during the hearing.

The prosecution evidence would continue tomorrow also.

UNI XC JN SP KP2140