Eighteen years after the notorious Moga sex scandal, a special CBI court in Mohali has delivered its judgment, sentencing four ex-Punjab Police officials to varying terms of imprisonment. The 2007 case, which involved allegations of corruption and extortion by high-ranking officers, culminated on Monday with significant convictions.
The court sentenced former Senior Superintendent of Police Devinder Singh Garcha and former Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Paramdip Singh Sandhu to five years in prison. They were found guilty of misusing their official positions under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1989. Both will also face a fine of ₹2 lakh each.
Raman Kumar, the then Moga city SHO and a central figure in the scandal, received an eight-year sentence after being convicted of extortion under the Indian Penal Code, alongside his corruption charges. Inspector Amarjit Singh, another key player, was sentenced to six years and six months for similar offenses, with an additional fine of ₹2.5 lakh imposed on him.
The scandal, which originally surfaced during the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government’s tenure, involved the wrongful implication of innocent individuals in a rape case to extort money. It was exposed by a complaint from Ranjit Singh of Bhagike village, leading to widespread investigations and public outrage.
Special CBI Judge Rakesh Gupta, who pronounced the verdict, highlighted the severe abuse of power and the criminal conspiracy that spanned several years. The case had notable developments, including the involvement of Manjit Kaur and two advocates, who later turned approvers, and the tragic murder of Kaur and her husband in 2018.
The court acquitted Barjinder Singh, son of a former Punjab minister, and Sukhraj Singh, finding insufficient evidence against them. The decision marks a significant milestone in the long-standing battle against corruption and misconduct within the ranks of the Punjab Police.
