SC seeks Punjab's response in former DGP Sumedh Saini's case

The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Punjab government over an anticipatory bail plea filed by former Punjab top-cop Sumedh Singh Saini. The court has asked Punjab to file its response in three weeks.

New Delhi:The Supreme court on Wednesday issued a notice to the Punjab government over an anticipatory bail petition filed by former Director-General of Police Sumedh Singh Saini in the murder case of Balwant Singh Multani who was killed during his tenure in 1991.

The court however did not grant any relief to Saini and instructed him to cooperate with the investigation. The court has asked the State government of Punjab to file its response in the matter within three weeks.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohtagi appearing for Saini argued it is a case of political vendetta and Punjab had no jurisdiction to register an FIR based as incident pertaining to the case happened in the union territory of Chandigarh. He also cited a previous 30-page judgement granting anticipatory bail to Saini. There is no material evidence against Saini in 29 years, Rohtagi added.

"He was a highly decorated officer. There are scores of death threats on this man. He took part in hundreds of operations and busted terror networks. When he was a DGP, he lodged fives cases against the current Chief Minister," said Rohtagi.

The court instructed the State to file a reply and directed not to file new cases as the existing one has not proceeded in last one month.

Punjab state government told the court that it will make statements in the next hearing.