SIT Summons Sukhbir Badal in Fresh Probe into Behbal Kalan, Kotkapura Police Firing Cases
CHANDIGARH: The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Punjab Government to conduct a fresh probe into the 2015 Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan police firing incidents, has summoned Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal for questioning on July 20 at 11 a.m. The summons marks a significant development in the decade-old cases that continue to dominate Punjab's political and legal landscape.
The Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government recently ordered a reinvestigation into the police firing cases, maintaining that the victims' families had still not received justice despite multiple investigations, judicial commissions and court proceedings over the last ten years.
The incidents occurred in October 2015 after widespread protests erupted across Punjab over the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib at Bargari village in Faridkot district. Thousands of Sikh devotees and members of various organisations staged dharnas demanding the arrest of those responsible for the desecration and action against those who had allegedly failed to prevent the incidents.
Sukhbir Badal
Sukhbir Badal, who was Deputy Chief Minister and also held the Home portfolio in 2015, is expected to be questioned about the administrative decisions taken before and during the police action. Punjab Police functioned under the Home Department headed by him at the time.
On October 14, 2015, police attempted to disperse protesters at Kotkapura, leading to a violent clash in which several protesters and policemen were injured. Later the same day, police opened fire on demonstrators at Behbal Kalan village, killing Krishan Bhagwan Singh and Gurjit Singh and injuring several others. The firing triggered widespread outrage and became one of the biggest controversies during the then SAD-BJP government's tenure.
The fresh SIT has already questioned several former officials and political leaders connected with the case. According to sources, investigators are now examining the role of senior functionaries of the then government in the decisions that led to the use of force against protesters.
Sukhbir Badal, who was Deputy Chief Minister and also held the Home portfolio in 2015, is expected to be questioned about the administrative decisions taken before and during the police action. Punjab Police functioned under the Home Department headed by him at the time.
The SIT has also appealed to members of the public to come forward with any information or evidence related to the sacrilege incidents and the subsequent police firing. Investigators are examining records, official communications and witness statements to establish the sequence of events and identify responsibility at various levels.
The Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura cases have witnessed a long legal journey, including investigations by different SITs, the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission of Inquiry and several proceedings before the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court. Cases have been registered against several senior police officers, and the trial in the police firing cases is presently underway in a Chandigarh court.
The summoning of Sukhbir Badal is being seen as the most significant political development in the renewed investigation. While the SAD has consistently maintained that the cases are being pursued with political motives, the AAP government has asserted that the fresh probe is aimed solely at ensuring justice for the victims of the police firing and bringing the truth behind the 2015 incidents to light.
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