Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Punjab Police Transfers DSP After Alleged Custodial Torture
Punjab Police moved four officers after a young Sikh man said he was mistreated in custody.
The man, Mohanjit Singh, had reportedly been detained after waving a black flag near a chief minister’s event.
He said police gave him an electric shock and hurt him in other ways.
He also said his beard was pulled and salt was put on his wounds.
Singh was receiving treatment at a hospital.
Opposition politicians visited him and criticized the Punjab government.
They asked for an independent investigation.
Police records say one DSP was transferred and three other officers were sent to police lines.
Punjab Police transferred DSP Harvinder Singh and shifted three other officers to police lines.
The action followed allegations that Mohanjit Singh was tortured after being detained near a Punjab chief minister’s programme.
Singh alleged he was electrocuted, had his beard pulled, and had salt rubbed into his wounds.
Opposition leaders met Singh in hospital and demanded an impartial investigation into the allegations.
Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring urged the National Human Rights Commission to investigate.
- Who
- Mohanjit Singh, Punjab Police officers, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and opposition leaders including Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Kewal Singh Dhillon.
- What
- A DSP was transferred and three other officers were shifted to police lines after alleged custodial torture of Singh.
- When
- The alleged detention followed a September 2 programme; the officer transfers were announced on Saturday, after opposition visits on Friday.
- Where
- The alleged incident involved police in the Sunam division of Sangrur, Punjab; Singh was treated at a local hospital.
- Why
- The action followed allegations that Singh was tortured after waving a black flag and raising slogans near the chief minister’s programme.
Victim and Opposition Allegations
Police Administrative Response
What happened in custody
Victim and Opposition Allegations
Mohanjit Singh alleged that police tortured him after detaining him near the chief minister’s programme, including by giving him an electric shock and pulling his beard.
Police Administrative Response
The article reports police transfers and postings but does not include a police denial or an alternative account of the alleged treatment.
Demand for accountability
Victim and Opposition Allegations
Opposition leaders called for an impartial investigation, with Amrinder Singh Raja Warring asking the National Human Rights Commission to examine the case.
Police Administrative Response
Punjab Police took administrative action by transferring the DSP and moving three other officers to the Sangrur Police Line.
- Victim
- Mohanjit Singh of Sheron village
- Transferred DSP
- Harvinder Singh, posted to the First Commando Battalion, Bahadurgarh, Patiala
- Officers shifted
- Inspector Parteek Jindal, Sub-Inspector Baljit Singh, and Assistant Sub-Inspector Harpreet Singh
- Reported allegations
- Singh alleged electric shocks, beard pulling, salt rubbed on wounds, and a torn undergarment
- Political response
- Opposition parties met Singh at a local hospital and demanded an investigation
- Human-rights request
- Amrinder Singh Raja Warring wrote to the National Human Rights Commission
- Official basis
- The order described Harvinder Singh’s transfer as being on administrative grounds with immediate effect