Lack of probe clouds reader's suspension

LUDHIANA: Deputy commissioner Rahul Tiwari suspended a reader of SDM (West), Gurpreet Singh, for allegedly demanding bribe for getting a court decision in the favour of a litigant. However, many unanswered questions remain regarding the case.
City resident Nachattar Kaur, who has been fighting a case for her property in the court of SDM (West) Prem Chand since December, had alleged before the DC that Gurpreet had sought Rs 2 lakh as bribe for getting the case decided in her favour, following which the reader was suspended immediately.
Kaur's advocate Varinder Singh Dadwal told TOI that a case was heard in the court of Prem Chand on January 31, 2011. After that, Gurpreet allegedly asked Kaur for Rs 2 lakh if she wanted a decision in her favour. Gurpreet allegedly also threatened her if she failed to pay up. On hearing this from Kaur, her advocate went to meet the reader but Gurpreet had reportedly left him by then. On February 1, the advocate and Kaur again went to his office, where Gurpreet used foul language with them. Following this, Kaur reportedly gave a written complaint and an affidavit to Prem Chand and Rahul Tiwari.
Rubbishing these claims, Gurpreet said, ''On January 31, Nachattar Kaur did not even come to the court. I had a verbal duel with Varinder and over 100 advocates gathered there, supporting me. After lunch, Kaur came to the court and gave a written complaint against me. I am innocent and no probe was conducted before suspending me.''
SDM Prem Chand said prima facie there was no evidence in the case. ''The complaint says that money was demanded verbally. I have not started the inquiry but the same will be done extensively, covering all aspects. The complaint might be the result of the heated argument,'' he added.