Gangster Encounters by Police, 43K Calls from Ferozepur Jail in ‘Drug Racket’

In the eighth encounter reported in the last eleven days in Panjab, on 17 Dec three gangsters of the Lucky Patial gang were arrested in Moga. Two encounters were reported on 16 Dec from Mohali and Patiala. On 19 Dec, Amritpal Singh, a gangster, was killed in an exchange of fire with the police. The incident bore an uncanny similarity to Parmjeet Singh Pamma’s 13 Dec encounter in Mansa. Singh was taken to Jandiala Guru for the recovery of two kilos of heroin. While still in handcuffs, he allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at the police. Meanwhile, taking cognizance of jail officials being involved in the drug racket in Panjab, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on 22 Dec said 43,000 calls were made from two mobile phones from Ferozepur Central Jail. Justice NS Shekhawat said it was clear that three accused lodged in the jail were provided phones and SIM cards. One mobile phone was active from 1 Mar 2019 to 31 Mar 2019. 38,850 calls were made from the number. Another mobile remained active in the jail from 9 Oct 2021 to 14 Feb this year. 4,582 calls were made from that number. Justice Shekhawat directed the Panjab Special Director General, Internal Security, to remain present in the court on the next date of hearing because in nine months no efforts were made to ascertain the names of the jail officials involved in the case.