All 5 Dera Sirsa followers acquitted by Sirsa Court in Bhai Harmandar Singh’s murder case

Dabwali (October 10, 2013): After the decision of Sunam court acquitting all accused dera Sirsa followers in the Bhai Kamaljit Singh Sunam’s murder case; a Sirsa court on October 10 acquitted all five dera Sirsa followers in Bhai Harmandar Singh Dabwali’s murder case; whereas earlier (in July 2013) a Sirsa court had sentenced 7 Sikhs to 10 years imprisonment each while holding them liable for damaging the properties of Dera Sirsa followers following the murder of Bhai Harmandar Singh.

It is notable that in May 2007 Dera Sirsa head attempted to personify himself as Tenth Sikh Guru which led to tensions between the Sikhs and dera, as personification of Sikh Gurus is prohibited in Sikh religion. A police case was registered against dera Sirsa chief but due to state patronage enjoyed by the dera chief the police did not proceed against him. Meanwhile, Akal Takht Sahib directed Sikhs to boycott the dera cult and oppose their anti-Sikh activities.

In May 2008 the dera followers attempted to hold their activities in Dabwali that was opposed by a groups of local Sikhs. The dera followers attacked Sikhs and killed Bhai Harmandar Singh Dabwali, which led to a clash between Sikhs and dera followers.

The police had booked five dera followers for murdering Bhai Harmandar Singh while seven Sikhs were booked for damaging properties of dera followers.

In July 2013 the Sirsa Court sentenced 7 Sikhs to undergo 10 years imprisonment. On October 10, 2013 the Sirsa Court acquitted all 5 Dera followers, namely Sundar Lal, Gurjant Singh, Jagtar Singh, Gurdeep Singh and Harminder Singh while pronouncing the decision in Bhai Harmandar Singh Dabwali’s murder case.

Earlier this month on October 01 (2013) a Sunam court had acquitted all 14 dera followers in Bhai Kamaljit Singh Sunam’s murder case who was shot dead by dera followers on 17 May, 2007.

These decisions have brought disappointment and dis-satisfaction among the Sikh masses. Baba Hardeep Singh Mehraj (Akali Dal Panch Pardhani) Baba Baljeet Singh Daduwal (Panthic Sewa Leahar), Bhai Sukhwinder Singh (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satikar Sabha, Haryana) and Bhai Baljinder Singh (Ek Noor Fauj) have said that these decision were grave injustice with the Sikhs and added that every attempt shall be made for secure justice for the family members of Bhai Harmandar Singh Dabwali.