Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday urged Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore to recall the pardon granted to four cops, who abducted and murdered a 22-year-old Sikh youth in a fake encounter in 1993. Besides, the party urged the Governor to order a thorough probe to expose the conspiracy behind the illegal and illogical recommendation.
SAD president Sukhbir Badal, who led the party delegation, met the Governor along with the father and sister of Harjit Singh, who was “murdered” by the four cops. At the same time, he lashed out at the Congress led Punjab Government for recommending the pardon. Briefing the Governor, the SAD president said that the four cops were awarded life imprisonment in December 2014 by the CBI Special Judge 18 years after the Punjab and Haryana High Court referred the case to the CBI for investigation. “It is noteworthy that the convicts had appealed against the judgment of the CBI Special Judge which is pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court...Pardon cannot be granted in such cases where an appeal in pending,” pointed Sukhbir saying that the “Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh is totally unjustified in recommending the pardon and it amounts to misleading the Governor”.
Pointing out various facets of the case, Sukhbir said that the Punjab Government had not done its constitutional duty and not briefed the Governor appropriately about the case. “The State Government failed to take mandatory permission of the Union Home Ministry which is a must in all serious criminal cases investigated by the CBI. This was also advised by the Additional Chief Secretary,” he said.
Saying that the Congress Government also failed to take note of the struggle waged by the victim family to get justice in the case, Sukhbir said that the very fact that the State moved the pardon plea of the four cops after they had served only two years imprisonment is indicative of its hurry to let the killer cops off the hook.
The delegation also urged the Governor to order a thorough probe into the matter since gross illegalities were committed in making the recommendation so that the entire conspiracy could be exposed.
Sukhbir, while talking to newsmen along with the affected family, including the father Mahinder Singh and sister Harjit Kaur, said that the party would explore all options, including approaching the judiciary, to ensure justice for Harjit.