JALANDHAR: A senior journalist and his NRI brother were allegedly assaulted by the Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Five in Jalandhar’s Model House area, triggering protests by journalists that led to immediate disciplinary action against the officer.
According to the complaint, senior journalist Waris Malik said he was travelling in a car with his brother when they narrowly avoided a collision with the SHO’s private vehicle in Model House. Malik alleged that the SHO abused them verbally and drove away. A short distance later, the SHO allegedly intercepted their car, grabbed Malik by the collar and threatened him.
Malik further alleged that his brother was taken to the police station without any charges and was beaten there.
Following the incident, journalists staged a sit-in protest at Police Station Five. Leaders from various media bodies, including Electronic Media Association president Sandeep Sahi, Print and Electronic Media Association president Surinder Pal and Punjab Press Club president Jaspreet Singh Saini, joined the protest. More than 100 journalists participated.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (City II) Harinder Singh Gill reached the spot and, after discussions with Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur, ordered that SHO Yadvinder Singh be removed from the police station and sent to the police lines with immediate effect.
Police officials said further action would be taken after examining the facts of the case.
