Convicted Punjab minister gets VIP treatment in jail

Chandigarh: Punjab police is at the centre of a controversy for giving VIP treatment to convicted minister Bibi Jagir Kaur. Some of the uniformed policemen even bowed down to touch the feet of the convicted minister.

The VIP treatment, however, did not end there. The former SGPC chief, who was last week convicted of the forced abortion of her daughter Harpreet, was ferried to the Kapurthala jail in an air-conditioned car, which is a clear violation of jail rules. The state's Jail minister though refused to comment on the issue.

"I haven't seen the video of policemen touching Jagir Kaur's feet. How can I comment on it?" said S S Phillaur.

Former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur was last week convicted of the forced abortion of her daughter Harpreet.

Norms were flouted inside the jail as well with authorities allowing a host of visitors to meet Jagir Kaur. She has reportedly been given an LCD TV and satellite connection in her quarters. When journalists caught this on camera, they were manhandled by the policemen on duty.

"I have been put on duty not to let anyone take pictures here," said a policeman.

This is not the first time that politics and personal loyalties have come in the way of the police discharging their official duties. Last week, ADGP of Jails, Shashi Kant, said he would rather resign than execute death row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana.

"That particular issue is more of personal in nature, it had nothing to do with the court orders or anything," said Shashi Kant.

A force that has borne the brunt of controversy for decades appears to be doing precious little to shed that image. Politics, personal opinions and lack of professionalism perhaps pervades Punjab police.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)