Chandigarh/ Amritsar: The one man commission of enquiry headed by Justice (retired) Ranjit Singh has summoned Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Kirpal Singh Badungar in connection with it’s probe into incident of beadbi of Guru Granth Sahib in October 2015 at village Bargari in Faridkot district, following which two Sikhs were killed by the Punjab police in firing at village Behbal Kalan.
According to media reports, the Commission has asked the SGPC chief or his representative to appear before it on October 9 and submit all records on grant and withdrawal of the controversial pardon to Dera Sauda Sirsa chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
A report in The Indian Express notes that the Commission, in its summons, has held that the pardon and its withdrawal both within weeks of each other in 2015 has emerged as a relevant factor for arriving at findings.
“During the examination of evidence and material on record comma the issue of a grant of a pardon to Head, Dera Sacha Sauda and the withdrawal of such pardon has emerged as one of the relevant factors for arriving at finding in regard to terms of the reference given to the commission of enquiry,” read summons asking SGPC chief or his representative to appear in person, notes The Indian Express.
It is notable that the Akal Takht had issued a hukumnama against Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2007 after he had attempted to personify himself as Guru Gobind Singh ji and copied the Amrit Sanchar ceremony. Dera chief was granted so-called pardoned by SGPC appointed Jathedars in September 2015 but the announcement was rejected by the Sikh masses. The SGPC had spent more than 90 Lakh rupees to advertise the pardon, which was later withdrawn by SGPC appointed Jathedars.
The previous government in Punjab, led by Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) had appointed a commission of inquiry led by Justice (Retd.) Zora Singh who had failed to identify the police officials who had killed two Sikhs in Bahbal Kalan. The report of J. Zora Singh commission was scrapped by Amarinder Singh led Congress government in Punjab and it ordered re-probe into the matter by J. Ranjit Singh Commission. An independent People’s Commission led former Supreme Court judge Justice Markandey Katju was appointed by various Human Rights groups. Justice Katju commission had fixed responsibility of the police officials for Behbal Kalan firing but his report was not recognised by the Punjab government.
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