SHO, sarpanch booked for cheating court

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">FARIDKOT: Close on the heels of registration of case against Munsi of Kotkapura police station along with two others for duping a court to get custody of a stolen car, the station home officer (SHO) of Nihalsinghwala police station in Moga district Balwinder Singh and an ex-sarpanch of Rorikapura village in Faridkot Gurdev Singh have been booked, on Sunday, by Sadiq police for the similar offence.<br /><br />Both the accused had allegedly cheated a court here to allow custody of a Maruti Zen on the basis of fake registration papers. While Gurdev Singh has been arrested and sent in judicial custody for 14 days, the SHO is reported to be absconding.<br /><br />The real owner of the car Sukhwinder Singh had submitted a complaint to the senior superintendent of police (SSP) Faridkot in October last year alleging that his Zen car No PB-04 G 8447 was in illegal custody of SHO Balwinder Singh who was the incharge of Sadiq police station at that time. The SSP referred the matter to deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Faridkot for investigation. <br /><br />During inquiry it was found that the car was stolen by a gang of car lifters in 2001 and was later on recovered by the Sadiq police. The SHO Balwinder connived with then sarpanch of Rori Kapura Gurdev Singh to usurp the vehicle. Gurdev Singh moved an application in a court at Faridkot to get custody of the car. <br /><br />The court marked the application to Sadiq police for verification of ownership of the vehicle. Balwinder Singh who was the incharge of Sadiq police station at that time made a false report that Gurdev was the owner of the car. On the basis of this report the court allowed the custody of the car to Gurdev. Since then the car remained in possession of Balwinder Singh. He took the vehicle with him to Nihalsinghwala when he was transferred there a few months ago.<br /><br />The DSP submitted his report to the SSP on March 5 and after getting legal opinion, the latter ordered registration of case under sections 420 (cheating) and 409 (misappropriation) of IPC against the SHO and the sarpanch.<br /><br /><fromid=367815></fromid=367815></div> </div>