Punjab and Haryana High court directs Punjab to produce Chahal

Chandigarh, July 23 (IANS) The Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday directed the Punjab government and its vigilance wing to produce Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, an aide of former chief minister Amarinder Singh, before it Tuesday to ascertain allegations of torture levelled by him.

Justice Uma Kant Singh gave the directions after Chahal recently alleged that he was being physically tortured and humiliated in custody at the behest of the ruling Akali Dal government.

The controversial media adviser to Amarinder Singh was arrested last month. He has been slapped with several charges including attempt to murder, land grabbing, conspiracy, intimidation, corruption and cheating.

Chahal is presently in judicial custody in a Patiala prison.

Amarinder Singh had visited Chahal in prison last week after his return from London. The former chief minister later said that Chahal had cried before him and told him that he was subjected to electric shocks on private parts and other inmates had been asked to urinate on him.

He also complained that he was not even provided with a bed in his cell where 17 other prisoners had beds.