Plea for CBI probe against Gujarat ATS officer

GANDHINAGAR - The Gujarat High Court Wednesday issued notice to the state government and police on a petition seeking registration of a complaint and a CBI probe against Indian Police Service (IPS) officer G.L. Singhal over a residential dispute.

A single judge bench of Justice M.R. Shah issued notice following a petition by Vasudev Bhavsar and ten others, residents of Manichandra Society-I, where Singhal, superintendent of police with Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) resides.

The petition claimed that the Singhals have started using the common plot of the society as if it was their private property and started development work on the plot. The

Singhals removed a volleyball post from the common plot and started construction, they claimed.

The petition claimed that when residents objected, Singhal’s wife threatened them with arrest and detention. “Mrs Manisha Singhal came to the society meeting and started

abusing members. She said that the police and the court and media were in her pocket and belonged to them,” it stated.

The petition stated that the police have not been registering their complaint due to undue influence and the post held by Singhal. On the other hand, a false complaint against petitioners of abuse and giving threats has been filed by Singhals, they said.

Bhavsar and others said that the state machinery as well as the central government has not taken action even though they were informed about the issue. The petitioners claimed since the state police was incapable of taking action, the probe should be given to the CBI.