Ex-Punjab cop who shot dead son-in-law in Chandigarh court is not new to controversies

Retired assistant inspector general (AIG), human rights cell, of the Punjab Police Malvinder Singh Sidhu who allegedly shot his brother-in-law, Indian Civil Account Services (ICAS) officer, Harprit Singh, 34, dead at a mediation centre in the district court complex in Chandigarh on Saturday is not new to controversies. In May this year, the Punjab and Haryana high court had granted bail to Sidhu, who was earlier suspended, in connection with the October 30, 2023, FIR registered by the Punjab vigilance bureau (VB). Sidhu was arrested for allegedly offering ₹30,000 to his aide Balbir Singh. Sidhu asked Balbir to stage a protest outside the Punjab Social Welfare Office, aiming to force the office to act against his son-in-law Harprit. The complaint against Sidhu’s son-in-law involved a fake caste certificate and the bribe was a part of Sidhu’s strategy to press the issue. This case came to light when Mohali’s Phase-8 police, having recorded Sidhu’s bribe offer, passed the evidence to the Phase-1 police, leading to the registration of a fresh case. In November 2023, the Punjab VB registered a case against Sidhu and two others for exploiting their positions to commit fraud, extort money and accept bribes from government employees. The investigation revealed that Sidhu falsely presented himself as the inspector general (IG) of the vigilance bureau. By doing so, he deceitfully obtained sensitive documents from government offices and used them to blackmail individuals. He acquired a photocopy of a government teacher’s service book under this pretence. In collusion with Balbir Singh, Sidhu procured records from various departments, initiating complaints against individuals and extracting bribes to withdraw these complaints. In October last year, Sidhu was arrested by the Mohali police for allegedly assaulting deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Barinder Gill during an inquiry into Sidhu’s disproportionate assets and criminal misconduct. The altercation occurred at the local vigilance office, where Sidhu was charged under several sections, including using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty and criminal intimidation. This case was registered at the Phase-8 police station following DSP Gill’s complaint. In January 2024, Phase-8 police in Mohali booked Sidhu again for alleged extortion and graft.