Punjab ASI booked on charge of torture

Chandigarh, Aug 8 (IANS) A case was registered against an ASI on Wednesday on the charge of torturing a couple of youths in illegal custody, after which one of them was admitted in hospital in a serious condition.

The case was registered by Patiala district police against Assistant Sub-Inspector Narinder Singh following pressure from various quarters and highlighting of the crime by the media.

"We have registered a case against the ASI," Patiala district police chief Mandeep Singh Sidhu said.

A departmental probe has been ordered against the Sanaur Station House Officer in the case.

The ASI had allegedly tortured the youths at the police station after an argument between them and police at a roadblock.

They alleged that the official tortured and humiliated them and forced them to grope each other after removing their clothes.

Former Union Minister Preneet Kaur, who is wife of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, met the injured victim at the Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, about 70 km from here, and assured them that action would be taken in the matter.

The Patiala Deputy Commissioner had earlier ordered a magisterial probe.