Chandigarh: Sumedh Saini’s close association with Badal family led Shiromani Akali Dal (Baldal) was so open that Saini is often termed as ‘darling of Badals’. During their rule in Punjab, Badals saved Sumedh Saini from legal proceedings in Balwant Singh Multani’s enforced disappearance case.
Even now, when former DGP Sumedh Saini is booked in Balwant Singh Multani’s case and is on the run, there is a visible Badal connection which is trying to protect Sumedh Saini from arrest.
After registration of FIR against him at Mataur police station, Sumedh Saini has approached Sessions Court Mohali for anticipatory bail.
Court’s cause list accessed by the Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) shows that Sumedh Saini’s anticipatory bail plea filed under section 437 of Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.PC) is listed before the court of Additional Sessions Judge-4 Minoka Goyal.
After being booked by #Police on May 6, 2020 for #enforceddisappearance of #Sikh youth Balwant Singh Multani in 1991 former DGP #SumedhSaini has applied for anticipatory bail in Sessions court #Mohali. Matter is listed for hearing on Saturday May 9. Details attached— pic.twitter.com/HqAuXQLjW7
— ਪਰਮਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ || Parmjeet Singh (@iamparmjit) May 8, 2020
Information related to petitioner’s lawyer reveals that Advocate Satnam Singh Kaler is going to appear for Sumedh Saini in the court.
Notably, Satnam Singh Kaler is a close confidant of Badal family and he is serving chairman of the Gurdwara Judicial Commission.
He was appointed to this post in December 2016 by Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) led government in Punjab.
Before his appointment as chairman of Gurdwara Judicial Commission, Satnam Singh Kaler was legal advisor of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) which is also under control of SAD (Badal) and thus the Badal family.
The move has already triggered debate in media circles and Sikh netizens have started criticising SAD (B) for its continuous support for Sumedh Saini.
Major Portion of Gurdwara Judicial Commission Chairman’s Remuneration Paid From Gurdwara Exchequer:
According to Section 75 of the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925, two third of the remuneration payable to the Gurdwara Judicial Commission’s chairman is paid by the SGPC, whose main source is Guru Ki Golak.
In this case it is a big question that a person drawing payments from Gurdwara exchequer as a head of statutory body is appearing in courts to defend people who are facing allegations of ‘crimes against humanity’ and elimination of Sikh youth during enforced disappearance.