‘Don't run, they'll shoot you': Brother recalls last words before cops took Surmukh to his death

Time of India

5 days ago

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Amritsar: A CBI court's order to sentence a former SP to 10 years in prison for killing two constables in a staged encounter on April 18, 1993, has stirred up painful memories for Kashmir Singh, whose elder brother, Surmukh Singh, was one of the victims.
Sitting at his home in Mucchal village, 30km from here, Kashmir remembered how his brother saved his life when he saw him the last time. He, however, was of the view that the court's verdict was too lenient and three other personnel, who were acquitted, too should have been held accountable. "On that fateful day, a police team arrived at our home and picked up Surmukh. When I questioned why he was being taken away, they misbehaved with me.
When I insisted, they grabbed me by the legs, bundled me into their vehicle, and drove off," he said.
The CBI court in Mohali handed down the 10-year sentence to retired SP Paramjit Singh, the SHO of Beas police station in 1993, on Wednesday.
Kashmir said after traveling a short distance, the cops stopped the vehicle and told him to get down and run. "But Surmukh, who was tightly held by the police, called out to me: 'Don't run; if you run, they will shoot you'.
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I did not move a step. The police then drove off with my brother. That's how he saved my life," Kashmir added.
The court acquitted former inspector Dharam Singh (77), the then SHO of Lopoke police station; and ASIs Kashmir Singh (79) and Darbara Singh (71), citing lack of evidence.
Kashmir sought capital punishment for the guilty policeman.
Surmukh's son, Charanjit Singh, who was not even born when his father was killed and who was present in court when the former SP was sentenced to 10 years in prison, vowed not to stop till everyone was brought to book.
"The sentence is too less for the crime they committed. I will not stop here. I will move to a higher court," he added.
Though Charanjit had been recruited as a Punjab Police officer in 2012, he was never recruited as he had been tagged "son of a terrorist".
He now works as a private driver, earning Rs 9,000 a month. Charanjit, a father of two, demanded the govt issue his appointment letter, along with compensation and job-related benefits for the 13 years he was unable to join the service.
An acquaintance of Surmukh and resident of Muchhal village, Balbir Singh Muchhal said 10 years was nothing. "When those entrusted with the law break it, their punishment should reflect the gravity of that betrayal," he added.