The Punjab Police has informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that an FIR has been registered against Sikh religious leader Ranjit Singh Dhandriawale in connection with the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Patiala.
The FIR, registered under sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, relates to the death of a woman who was found unconscious outside Gurudwara Parameshwar Dwar, Sheikhpura in 2012. Based on the complaint of the victim’s brother, Pasiana was registered at the police station.
The information was shared through an affidavit filed by Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav before a bench headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu. The petitioner alleged that the autopsy of his sister revealed that she had consumed poison, but the police did not take any immediate action. He also claimed that he received threats from followers of the accused after raising the case.
According to the DGP’s affidavit, the victim was initially found unconscious on April 22, 2012 and later died at Rajendra Hospital in Patiala. Statements recorded at the time, including those of his mother, indicated there was no suspicion of foul play. In the postmortem, it has been revealed that he died due to the consumption of aluminum phosphide insecticide. The victim’s family later testified before the executive magistrate that they did not suspect anyone in her death.
The affidavit states that the victim’s sister filed four complaints between June and November 2012. of Dhandrianwale Despite the involvement, the police investigation has recommended that the case be closed. These records were destroyed in 2020 as part of regular office procedures.
The case came up again in September 2023 when the petitioner alleged that he was threatened by people who warned him not to seek justice. On December 7, 2024, an FIR was registered against Dhandrianwale at Pasiana Police Station.
While hearing the petition, the High Court had earlier asked the DGP what action was taken against the police officers who prosecuted the case in 2012. The affidavit mentions that a show cause notice was issued to the then DSP Saamna Sewasingh Mahi (now retired). ) and then SHO Pasiana Ashok Kumar (now SP) on December 7, 2024.
Dhandrianwale’s lawyer GS Ghuman said, “The allegations are baseless, a fabrication by the petitioner, who himself had signed an affidavit denying any foul play in his sister’s death in 2012. The victim’s post-mortem report never mentioned rape or any injuries.” Baba Ranjit Singh has full faith in the judiciary and will cooperate in the investigation.