Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal on Wednesday condemned Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for recommending the premature release of cops guilty of killing innocent Sikh youth in fake encounters.
“Is this Capt Amarinder’s gift to the great Sikh quom (community) on the eve of the 550th parkash purb of the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev ji Maharaj? These cops were duly convicted by courts on charges of brutal murder and in many cases they have not even served one-fourth of the tenure of their sentence. On what basis did the Congress Government move for their release is something that is beyond the comprehension of any reasonable person,” said Sukhbir.
He said Capt Amarinder’s action has rub salt into the deep wounds of the families of the victims of fake encounters. “It also defies the rule of law, justice as well as all norms of civilised society. If the murderers are to be thus released in defiance of the judgement of the courts of law, it will make a mockery of the entire judicial process,” he said.
SAD chief said that actions like these reveal the hypocritical attitude of the Chief Minister towards all matters affecting the Sikh sentiments. “He has been shedding crocodile tears over the misery of the Sikhs since 1984. And every time he was in a position to do something for the community, he always stabbed the Sikhs in the back,” said Sukhbir adding that this was just one more cruel example of that.
He also pointed out that the cops, whose release had been recommended by the Congress Government, had committed crimes in uniform. “They are also accused of gross human rights excesses. They should be made to undergo their complete sentences and should not be given any relief,” he said.
Sukhbir said that earlier this year, the Congress Government had recommended the premature release of four cops who had killed an innocent Sikh youth in a fake encounter in 1993 to secure out of turn promotions.
The cops had been awarded life imprisonment by a Special CBI Court but had been given relief by the Congress Government, he said.