Jathedar Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara
CHANDIGARH (February 3, 2014)—A majority of Sikh political prisoners have no authentic information regarding the cases filed against them in various police stations in Punjab and other states. This fact has been revealed by Punjabi daily Ajit on the basis of the application filed by Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, Jathedar Babbar Khalsa International in India, under the Right to Information Act 2005. In this application, Bhai Hawara has sought information regarding the cases filed against him before his arrest and during the time when he was underground.
It is notable that during the Sikh freedom struggle, whoever was held by Police used to be framed in various cases. Punjab police itself has admitted in Punjab and Haryana High Court that in those days, when any Sikh went abroad, he was termed a “Terrorist” and was blacklisted.
This point was just also raised by Nawanshehar police in an affidavit presented before the High Court in the case of a non resident Indian. The police was scolded by the Court on the point.
Various measures being taken for the permanent release of various Sikh political prisoners could also be viewed in this context because confusion prevails on the matter of the cases filed against them and if any of them is released, they might be framed in some old cases. A major instance of this can be seen from the case of Bhai Lal Singh Akalgarh.
He is currently detained in Nabha Jail. A few months back, Punjab and Haryana High Court gave relief to him by ordering his release, but later on the court’s decision was challenged by the Gujrat government in the Supreme Court on the grounds that he was charged in a case under the Arms Act in Ahmadabad. Thus Bhai Lal Singh was again sent to Jail.