Three governments, one loophole

WHO’S HE: Son of Punjab IAS couple B R Bajaj and Rupan Deol Bajaj

THE CASE: Probably the most colourful of the Chandi mundas, Ranjeet has been in and out of trouble almost all his adolescent-adult life. His first case goes back to September 1996, when he was allegedly involved in a brawl in the jurisdiction of the Sector 3 police. In 2000, he was booked under Section 506 of the IPC for threatening a vernacular journalist.

Subsequently, he faced a case after brandishing a pistol before a Parwanoo resort manager and breaking a police cordon at a check post. A few months later, in 2000, he was hauled up yet again for allegedly possessing a toy pistol, a forged Punjab DGP permit for darkened car windows, a fake arms licence and a sharp-edged weapon. A case was registered in the Sector 19 police station. Ranjeet was also booked for kidnapping Sunny Garg, son of a local businessman. While on the run from the police, he was booked yet again for allegedly hitting a policeman on duty.

STATUS TODAY: All cases are under trial. Ranjit has been recently selected for the MTV Reality Adventure Show; he is one of the seven roadies on the programme.

Gurkirat Singh Age 35

WHO’S HE: Grandson of slain Punjab CM Beant Singh

THE CASES: In August 1993, Gurkirat had his first brush-in with the law, when he allegedly insisted on entering a Sector 37 street closed to traffic because of Janmashtami celebrations. When the sub-inspector on duty objected, Gurkirat reportedly snatched his wireless. Gurkirat was hauled to court, but the two parties reached a compromise, and he was acquitted.

Barely a year later, Gurkirat and his friends Manjinder, Kuldip, Inderjit and Ashwani, and two Punjab policemen Sukhvinder Singh and Jasbir Singh, were accused of molesting, criminally intimidating and detaining Frenchwoman national Katia. The case went on for over four years, but it was dismissed on grounds of insufficient evidence. The fact that Katia never returned to the country after submitting her initial complaint was a major setback.

STATUS TODAY: After being acquitted by court, Gurkirat has refrained from taking pangas with the law. He is married and a member of the executive committee of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee.

Harvinder Singh & Manoj Godara Age early 30s

WHO ARE THEY: Son of Manjit Singh Barkandi, then Punjab MLA, and nephew of then Haryana Home Minister Mani Ram Godara respectively

THE CASE: In June 1998, they allegedly shot dead Mohali youth Harjinder Singh in broad daylight after an argument outside Hotel Mountview in Chandigarh’s Sector 10. Both youths were arrested within six hours of the incident and charged under Section 302 of the IPC.

STATUS TODAY: The two were acquitted by court following a compromise between the two parties. Harvinder is currently abroad.

THE CASE: Earlier this year, Godara was arrested by the Panchkula police for allegedly kidnapping, raping and robbing a Shimla-based girl.

STATUS TODAY: The case is still in court. Godara is currently out on bail. He calls himself a businessman; he also fought the Panchkula municipal elections and lost.