London, UK (March 22, 2013): A British court has jailed another Sikh for ten years for alleged attempt to assassinate Kulbir Brar, a former Indian army lieutenant general in 2012.
According to information Lakhbir Singh, 26, is the fifth person to be imprisoned over the attack, with three men and one woman already sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each in this case.
The Southwark Crown Court, on March 21, convicted Lakhbir Singh for causing ‘grievous bodily harm’ with intent.
As per information Kuldip Brar was assaulted outside a hotel in London on September 30, 2012. He had received a scratch/ injury on neck and was taken to St Mary’s Hospital.
At the time of the sentencing of the other four defendants, Judge Jeffrey Pegden said: ‘I am of the view that the attackers wanted to inflict more serious harm, but that Kuldip Brar fought back, preventing that happening’, the judge said.
There has already been criticism of UK court for awarding ‘harsh’ punishments to the convicts. Various Sikh bodies have raised the concerns that court has acted harshly while granting sentences to the Sikhs convicted in this case.
It is notable that Kuldip Brar had led June 1984 army offensive against the Sikhs that was codenamed as ‘operation bluestar’. Indian army had attacked Darbar Sahib Amritsar and about 35 other Sikh gurdwaras in June 1984. Kuldip Brar had led attack on Darbar Sahib. Thousands of Sikhs were killed in cold blood by Indian army at Darbar Sahib, which also destroyed the Akal Takht with tanks.
Recently released secret documents have revealed that Indian state had taken ‘advise’ of British government for making preparations of attack on Darbar Sahib. As per declassified British documents, UK’s secret service agent had helped Indian to draw plans of the army attack.