Barjinder Singh alias Makhan Brar, son of former minister Jathedar Tota Singh, and Sukhraj Singh, were acquitted by the court.

18-Year-Old Moga Sex Scandal: SSP and Three Other Police Officers Sentenced, Latest news: In an important breakthrough in the 18-year-old Moga sex scandal, a Mohali court has finally pronounced sentences for four former police officers.

A CBI special court in Mohali has sentenced Davinder Singh Garcha, then SSP of Moga, Paramdeep Singh Sandhu, then SP (Headquarters), Raman Kumar, former SHO of Moga City Police Station, and Inspector Amarjit Singh, also formerly posted at Moga City Police Station, to five years of imprisonment each.

The officers were found guilty of corruption and extortion on March 29. However, their sentencing (the process where the punishment is determined) is scheduled for April 7.

Due to a lack of evidence, two individuals, Barjinder Singh alias Makhan Brar, son of former minister Jathedar Tota Singh, and Sukhraj Singh, were acquitted by the court.

History

The scandal first came to light in 2007, during the tenure of the Akali-BJP government, when a gang rape case was filed at the Moga City Police Station based on the complaint of a young woman from Jagraon. Her statement was recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC (Criminal Procedure Code), which is a provision that allows a magistrate to record a statement made by a victim or witness.

However, the case took a disturbing turn when investigations revealed that certain police officers had allegedly tampered with the case. They were accused of adding the names of businessmen and political figures in an attempt to extort money from them.

Things escalated further when an audio recording surfaced, allegedly capturing police officers demanding bribes to settle the case. This revelation sparked widespread public outrage, and questions were raised about the integrity of the law enforcement system in Punjab.

The investigation uncovered a more extensive racket involving two women, who, in collusion with the police, were accused of entrapping businessmen and extorting money. While the women were eventually given a clean chit by the authorities, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continued its probe into the matter, which ultimately led to the arrest and conviction of several key police officers involved in the scandal.

The court's recent decision has been hailed as a long-overdue step toward accountability, not just for the officers involved but also for the system that allowed such manipulation and corruption to thrive for so long. The case, which initially shook Punjab's political and law enforcement circles, has now become a symbol of the state's commitment to confronting corruption within its ranks and ensuring justice for victims.

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