BHUBANESWAR: Following the horrific assault on Parbinder Pal Singh near an apartment in Laxmisagar area in Bhubaneswar on the morning of January 15, the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) court on Wednesday issued a notice to the three accused to appear in person in the court on February 6.

Viral footage of the brutal attack revealed how a group of miscreants assaulted Parbinder Pal Singh in the presence of two Police officers following an altercation over parking issue in front of his house in Laxmisagar area.

Speaking about the incident, Parbinder Pal Singh said “I had called up police after some local goons misbehaved with me when I opposed their illegal parking of vehicle in front of the entrance of our home. A police control room (PCR) van reached the spot after 20 minutes. But the thugs attacked me at the presence of police. My child was terrified and inconsolable. Police just watched I was brutally assaulted with stones. I suffered serious injuries over my eye”.

The horrendous incident triggered an international outcry and raised questions on police efficacy. The police subsequently arrested the three accused, Sankar Rout, Deepak Mohanty and Deepak Jena and forwarded them to court in the evening. However, the court granted them bail at night.

“All three accused – Sankar Rout, Deepak Mohanty and Deepak Jena – have been arrested and forwarded to court. CP Sudhanshu Sarangi has asked to submit charge sheet against them within 3 days to stand trial in court of law,” read a statement issued by the commissionerate police.

The police failed to register a case under Section 307 of IPC against the accused leading to widespread protests. Members of the Sikh community took out a candle rally in Bhubaneswar demanding stern action against the accused.

A further complaint was lodged against the former BMC Mayor Anant Jena and Khurda DSP Anup Kanungo for visiting the residence of Parbinder Pal Singh late at night and threatening him and his family.

As a damage control exercise, the police permanently disengaged the PCR van’s in-charge Subhash Chandra Rout, a retired Army employee. The PCR vans are manned by retired police and Army personnel in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Rout was suspended for negligence with the Police saying that he should have prevented the accused from attacking Parbinder Pal Singh.

Commentators amongst the international Sikh community await the outcome of Court proceedings to see if Parbinder Pal Singh receives justice.