Arrest rape accused by Feb 11 or remain present in court: HC to DGP, home secy

The Punjab and Haryana high court has directed the director general of police (DGP), Punjab, and state's home secretary to remain present in the court on February 11, if a Ferozepur businessman, who is accused of rape and on the run for four years, is not arrested by the police.

- Surender Sharma

CHANDIGARH:

The businessman, Varinder Pal Singh @ VP Singh @ VP Handa was booked on October 10, 2020, at the Kulgarhi police station in Ferozepur after the intervention of the Punjab State Women Commission. He is charged under Section 376 (rape), and 67A (publishing or transmitting of material containing the sexually explicit act) of the Information Technology Act, and sections 354 (to outrage modesty), 304-A (physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures) and 506 (criminal intimidation) and various other sections of the IPC. Varinder Pal has not been arrested yet. His anticipatory bail was dismissed on October 28, 2020, by the sessions court, Ferozepur, then on November 12, 2020, by the high court and on February 5, 2021, by the Supreme Court. He was declared a proclaimed offender on March 24, 2022, by a Ferozepur court.