Devil’s Advocate continues ………….

They were about to burn down a post office, and we had to open fire at the crowd, during which one rioter was injured. These proceedings were caught on camera by Newstrack—a popular video magazine during those days. Newstrack’s cameras captured four policemen carrying an injured person away from the scene in a rather unacceptable manner by holding him by his arms and legs while his torso hung loose. The programme in its report highlighted how the four cops hadn’t deemed it necessary to use a stretcher, which made it a revolting sight to watch. The fact of the matter was that it was expedient to remove the injured at the soonest for prompt medical attention. The video was viewed widely and the police in my district came under huge criticism. A PIL was filed against the south district police in the Delhi High Court. The advocates who filed the PIL owed allegiance to a national political party opposed to the Janata Dal government in power.

The best lawyers in the country were to appear against us in the PIL hearings. We were in dire need of a good lawyer to present our side of the story. To our dismay, not a single advocate worth his salt was prepared to take up our case. The case had become too sensational and political, with public opinion riding high against us. We requested one lawyer after another to come on board and argue on our behalf, but none was ready to accept our brief. We were losing heart and getting desperate when someone suggested the name of Bawa Gurcharan Singh. Our inquiries revealed that he was an experienced and competent advocate who was apolitical and kept a low profile but was sincere and effective.

I decided to meet Gurcharan Singh and went to his residential office in Model Town along with some of my officers.


To be Continued ………….