Background of the Case
A Punjab court has once again denied a request to close a high-profile case involving allegations of theft against Judge Bikramdeep Singh. The case revolves around accusations that Singh, along with others, committed theft at the home of a fellow judge, Additional District & Sessions Judge Kanwaljit Singh, following the latter’s passing. The case was initially filed by Dr. Bhupinder Singh Virk, a law professor at Punjabi University Patiala, who holds power of attorney for the deceased judge’s son.
Judicial Concerns and Court’s Orders
Judicial Magistrate Ist Class Prabha Prashar emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive and unbiased investigation, citing unresolved questions in the probe conducted by Punjab Police. The court ordered a review of CCTV footage from the day of the incident and mandated the examination of call detail records related to the accused judge. Additionally, the court instructed that all electronic evidence, including email affidavits, screenshots, and other relevant materials, be submitted as part of the investigation.
Case Developments and Legal Proceedings
The incident in question occurred on the night Judge Kanwaljit Singh died at a hospital. According to the complaint, several individuals, including a house help and a government officer, entered the deceased judge’s residence and allegedly removed gold, jewelry, and cash. Judge Bikramdeep Singh has denied these allegations, claiming he was instructed by the deceased’s son, Angadpal Singh, to safeguard the valuables, which were later returned.
The case was registered at the Lahori Gate Police Station in Patiala on March 21, 2025. Notably, anticipatory bail for Judge Bikramdeep Singh was denied by a Patiala court in April, and the judge was subsequently transferred to Tarn Taran by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Rejection of Cancellation Reports
Despite a supplementary statement from the complainant indicating that the allegedly stolen items were found within the house, the police’s attempt to close the case through a cancellation report was rejected by the court on April 29. The court identified significant deficiencies in the investigation, leading to further probes.
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On July 10, the court rejected a second cancellation report, highlighting inadequacies in addressing prior concerns. The court criticized the police for failing to verify what items were taken and returned to the deceased’s family, and for not recording statements from Judge Kanwaljit Singh’s sons.
Instructions for Further Investigation
The court has directed the police to investigate several aspects further: identifying specific items taken, correlating these with items returned to the legal heirs, verifying the telephonic conversation between Judge Bikramdeep Singh and Angadpal Singh, and examining the roles of other individuals captured in CCTV footage. The court stressed that the offenses alleged under Sections 331(4) and 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, are non-compoundable and cannot be dismissed based on the complainant’s changed stance.
Additional Public Prosecutor Jatinderpal Singh Sharma represented the State, and Advocate Navdeep Sharma appeared for the complainant.
