HMT EMBEZZLEMENT CASE Questions their seriousness in probe as accused at large Saurabh Malik Chandigarh, July 13 The Punjab and Haryana High Court has rapped the Panchkula police for their failure to arrest the accused in the Rs 3-crore cheating case involving HMT employees. Describing it as somewhat upsetting, the High Court has asserted that the earnestness of the police official linked to the probe was apparently questionable. Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu also made it clear that the court was inclined to impose exemplary costs. But another opportunity was being granted for doing the needful in the matter after taking a lenient view. The developments took place on two anticipatory bail pleas filed against the State of Haryana by Sunil Sethi and other accused through Aditya Sanghi and other counsel. The prosecution had alleged that the petitioner, Sunil Sethi, committed criminal breach of trust and cheated HMT Employees Cooperative Consumer Society Ltd, Pinjore, of more than Rs 3 crore. This, the prosecution had alleged, was done in conspiracy with other co-accused, including PK Sinha, Prem Chand, Daljeet Singh, Deepak Bhardwaj, Anil Sharma, Moti Ram and Mange Ram. Taking a note of the allegations, Justice Sindhu had, on a previous date of hearing, observed that even the internal vigilance reports were prepared in the matter. But all the accused were stated to be on the run. Justice Sindhu had added that the investigating officer, it seemed, had adopted a lackadaisical approach in the matter. The Panchkula Commissioner of Police was also directed to be present in the court along with the latest status report of the investigation in the matter for further consideration. He was also asked to apprise the court whether the accused were working with Hindustan Machine Tools. As the case came up for resumed hearing, a short reply by way of an affidavit was filed by the Panchkula Commissioner of Police. Taking the report on record, Justice Sindhu observed that its perusal revealed that all the accused, except the then HR head-cum-society president PK Sinha and manager Prem Chand, were working with the HMT. “But it is quite distressing that only one, Daljeet Singh, has been arrested so far and rest are roaming freely. Thus, the seriousness of the police official /officers who is/are associated with the investigation of this case seems to be questionable,” Justice Sindhu concluded. Before parting with the order, Justice Sindhu also granted exemption to the Commissioner of Police from personal appearance, until or unless ordered otherwise. The case

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