Judge who awarded death to five pleads in vain for security
VARINDER BHATIA Posted online: Mon Apr 04 2011, 02:53 hrs
Chandigarh : Haryana Police's motto — Haryana police is for the
citizens of the country — appears to be figuring only as the
caller-tune of its top-brass; but the situation appears different at
ground level. What can a common man expect from the police when
Additional District Judge (Karnal), Vani Gopal Sharma, who awarded
capital punishment to five persons last year in an honour killing
case, has been seeking security cover for herself and her family in
vain.
More than a dozen representations, made to the Haryana Police, have
not yielded any response for her. Even the communications made by none
other than the Sessions Judge, Karnal (in possession of The Indian
Express) have failed to move Haryana Police, which has not provided
her adequate security so far.
In November, last year, when ADJ Vani Gopal Sharma went abroad with
her family, she was shocked on her return to learn that the two gunmen
provided to her, as a routine security measure, were also withdrawn.
She is left with none as of now. Also, of the two gunmen provided to
her, only one used to be with her and that too till 5 pm. Sources
close to her family claim that there were times, when both the gunmen
had proceeded on leave, leaving her and her family unguarded.
Ironically, the advocate, who was the prosecution counsel in the case,
has also been provided a round-the-clock security cover; but not the
ADJ, who announced the unprecedented verdict, convicting five on
charges of murder and awarding capital punishment.
The Superintendent of Police (Karnal) Rakesh Arya , has withdrawn the
security cover provided to the ADJ, citing reasons that there was no
threat to her life. "Fresh threat assessment was got carried out by
SHO, Civil Lines, Karnal and security agency in respect of Smt. Vani
Gopal Sharma, ADJ, Karnal and from the perusal of the assessment
report, presently there is no specific threat to Smt. Vani Gopal
Sharma, ADJ, Karnal following which additional security has been
withdrawn on 29.10.2010", SP, Karnal wrote to the Sessions Judge,
Karnal. A copy of the communication was also marked to ADJ Vani Gopal
Sharma.
In response to the SP's communication, the Sessions Judge, Karnal,
categorically stated that the situation had not changed and the ADJ
continues to have a threat to her life. "The threat perception is
continuing as the hearing in the appeal is still pending in the
Hon'ble High Court... It was completely uncalled for to withdraw the
security provided to her (ADJ Sharma) in such manner", the Session
Judge wrote.
ADJ Vani Gopal Sharma, had merely asked for an "Escort" vehicle,
during her inter-city travel, to avoid any untoward incident. However,
the Haryana Police neither provided her any "escort" vehicle for the
inter-city travel, nor provided her any security cover.
At present, ADJ Vani Gopal Sharma, who has an official residence on
the highway; has no security cover at her residence. The two guards,
provided to her are also quite irregular and often take leave from
duty, leaving her totally unguarded.
One of the co-accused in the case, Gangaraj, who was awarded seven
years' imprisonment by the ADJ, has been acquitted by the High Court.
The family sources added that with the release of Gangaraj, the threat
to the family had increased.
When asked, V Kamaraja, Inspector General of Police (Rohtak Range),
said, "It is very serious. I am not aware of any such issue. I will
definitely get it checked and the adequate security shall be
provided".
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