Ravinder Jeet Singh, a US citizen (on right) and Damandeep Singh (on left)
LUDHIANA, Punjab (March 29, 2015)—The First Information Report (FIR) which has finally been shared by the Police exposes it for fabricating the case against Ravinder Singh Gogi, a US citizen and son of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa.
FIR states that Ravinder Jeet Singh Gogi is responsible for instigating Bapu Surat Singh to go on hunger strike and for provoking him to commit suicide. It has been stated in the FIR that, “If Surat Singh Khalsa dies, disharmony could trigger.” Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa has clarified multiple times that hunger strike was his own decision and his family members had no role in his decision.
The elderly Sikh man from California has gone on hunger strikes, a method common in India to seek justice for various issues, multiple times. He also accompanied Anna Hazare, a social reformer during a hunger strike in India. Bibi Sarvarinder Kaur, daughter of Bapu Surat Singh, stated earlier this week that the police is using pressure tactics to break the struggle initiated by her father. “This is why they have kept my brother confined, and why the police is not allowing anyone to see my father,” she had said. For her complete statement, please see this report. She also clarified that Bapu Surat Singh never demanded release of 82 prisoners.
Ravinder Jeet Singh was arrested on February 26, along with a number of other Sikhs from the Civil Hospital Ludhiana. Although others have been released by the police, the police has kept Ravinder Jeet confined without giving him access to a fair trial. He has been presented to the court twice, handcuffed like a criminal, however the court has actually not held any hearings.
It is important to mention that Ravinder Jeet was to be kept under judicial remand for only 14 days, however it has been over a month since he has been detained by the police.
This is the translated text of the complete FIR -
You are requested that Surat Singh Khalsa who has been admitted in civil hospital Ludhiana since 08/02/2015 due to his ongoing hunger strike, would no longer remain alive. He has declared that he will continue his fast unto death until he dies and 82 persons are not released. However, 82 persons are to be released by court. Deputy commissioner Ludhiana and SSP Jagraon have made Surat Singh Khalsa aware of this by meeting him many a times and latter is firm on his stand. If Surat Singh Khalsa dies, disharmony could trigger. There are many persons who instigated Surat Singh Khalsa and are collecting funds. Ravinderjit Singh s/o Surat Singh Khalsa is one of those persons. This job of Ravinderjit Singh could be considered as provoking Surat Singh Khalsa for committing suicide. Ravinderjit Singh is provoking Surat Singh Khalsa for continuing his fast which can cause his death. That could create disturbance there. Keeping in view of peace and the circumstances described above, Ravinderjit Singh s/o Surat Singh Khalsa Kaum Jatt resident of Hasanpur, district Ludhiana is arrested under section of 107-151 Crpc. Please send him to Judicial remand for 14 days under section 116 (3) Crpc.