RAJDEEP BENIPAL
Ludhiana
Justice delayed is Justice denied for the family of Avtar Singh Gola who was allegedly gunned down by police cat turned cop Gurmeet Singh alias Pinki cat in Ludhiana in 2001. Fighting legal battle from last 17 years to get justice in murder case, the family of victim Avtar Singh Gola wanted to get
punishment for the killer of their son. Ironically, the family of Avtar Gola have to face harassment in Police stations and courts as they were booked in case for allegedly trying to set the house of
Gurmeet Pinki on fire. After long years, the court has cancelled the FIR against the family members of Avtar Singh Gola. The family members rued that they were demanding justice for their son and
punishment for the killer but they have to face the case for several years. In January 2001, Avtar Singh Gola was allegedly killed by Police cat Pinki following a spat over crossing of road near Ghumar Mandi. The victim Avtar Gola succumbed to injuries in hospital a day after he was shot at. After his death, a case was registered against Amrik Singh, father of Avtar Gola and other family members. Amrik Singh said that “We were in hospital looking after their injured son but in FIR Police mentioned that we have torched the house of Pinki cat” said Amrik Singh who is still in shock after the death of his son. He said that instead of providing justice in murder case of his son, Police has registered false case against him and his family members. While reminding the horrific incident, Amrik Singh and his wife said that in January 2001, their only son Avtar Singh Gola left the house along with his friend to visit ram Sharnam temple. While returning back home, Avtar an his friends found the road blocked by some persons, who were consuming alcohol on roadside.Avtar requested the persons to vacate the road but the accused Pinki cat and his gunmen started beating Avtar and his friends. Amrik Singh further said that Avtar and his friends manage to escape from outside the house of Pinki cat. Few hours later, Avtar again went there to take his motorcycle back but the gunmen of Pinki cat caught him. On being informed, he along with his son in law, neighbor and friends reached outside the house of Pinki. I requested the accused to leave his son but no avail. “I witnessed that two gunmen tied his son with pole and Pinki shot Avtar Gola with his Pistol from point blank range”, alleged Amrik Singh while adding that he also suffered bullet injury near forehead but had narrow escape. Avtar was immediately rushed to Dayanand Medical College
and Hospital (DMCH) where he died next day while undergoing treatment. Amrik Singh said that at
the time when he along with his family members was in hospital to take care of his son, the police have registered false against them for setting the house of Pinki on fire. Reminding about the legal battle, Amrik Singh said that despite odds he has left no stone unturned to ensure punishment for Pinki cat but the government helped him. He fought the legal battle in Ludhiana court later High Court. On his request, the trial of case was shifted in Kurekshetra in Haryana and Pinki was awarded with life sentence. However, the prevision government helped  him and declined his punishment only after six and half years. After the murder, Pinki has threatened him several times through his aides. He has also offered 20 crores, bungalows but he never accepted, said Amrik Singh. Charanjit Kaur, mother of Avtar Singh Gola said that they have lost faith from system as the government helped the person who was convicted by court. She said that she desired to take revenge by shooting the accused as he did with her son.

Case heard in six different courts

Justice delayed Justice denied” suits perfect for the family of Avtar Gola as the family have to appear in six different courts for the trial of case. The trial of case was conducted in Ludhiana court and when the case was near verdict the case was shifted to High court following the plea of Gurmeet Pinki. In High court the trial of case was delayed and after 80 hearings and following the request of Amrik Singh, the Judge was changed by Chief Justice. Amrik Singh
told that following their request, Chief Justice shifted the case in court of another Judge but from there also
case was shifted to session court. Again session court asked to approach High Court and finally the case was shifted out of state and trial was conducted in session court Kureskshetra, as said by Amrik Singh, father of Avtar Singh.

• TIMELINE
  � In January 2001, Avtar Singh Gola, resident of Ludhiana was shot dead by Police cat turned cop Gurmeet Singh Pinki
  � A day after the murder, Police have also registered case against family members of Avtar for allegedly setting the house of Pinki on fire
  � Court announced life imprisonment for Pinki and he spend six and half years in Jail
  � In 2014, the previous Government has helped Pinki in pre mature release from jail
  � In December 2018, the High court has quashed FIR against family members of Avtar Singh Gola

Pinki pleads innocence, refutes allegations

Days after the family members of Avtar Singh Gola repeated the serious allegations against Police cat turned
cop Gurmeet Singh Pinki for killing Avtar, harassment, Pinki refuted all the allegations and claimed himself as innocent. Pinki asked the family members of Avtar Singh Gola to accompany him at Gurdwara and swear in the name of god that who killed their son. Last week, the court has cancelled the FIR against Amrik Singh, father and
other family members of Avtar Singh for allegedly setting the house of Gurmeet Singh Pinki on fire. Following the development, Amrik Singh and his wife again repeated the allegations against Pinki for killing Avtar Gola. They also accused Pinki for threatening, harassment and pressurizing them for settling the matter through compromise.
On Wednesday, Gurmeet Pinki while talking to Daily Post said that he was in Delhi when Avtar Singh died. Father of Avtar has registered FIR against unknown persons but later his name was involved as family was motivated by
some persons. Pinki claimed that bullet was fired from the weapon of some person and his name was mentioned in
FIR. But later, Amrik Singh avoid recording statement against man who fired on Avtar Singh Gola. Pinki said that he was falsely implicated in case and his future was spoiled. He has lost his father and mother when he was in  jail. He said that his god is with him and he has full faith in god. 

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