Chandigarh: Sikh political prisoner Bhai Gurmit Singh was reportedly released yesterday from Chandigarh Model Jail (Burail) on 28 days parole. Bhai Gurmit Singh came out of jail at. around 7:45 pm. He was received outside the jail by his mother Mata Surjit Kaur, sisters Manjit Kaur and Varinder Kaur, Sikh leader Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema, Kumikar Singh, Bibi Kulbir Kaur Dhami (Guru Asra Trust), Gurcharan Singh and Surjit Singh.
Bhai Gurmit Singh extended thanks to all concerned for their persistent efforts for release of Sikh political prisoners.
Bhai Gurmit Singh paid obeisance to Guru Granth Sahib Ji at Gurdwara Amb Sahib Mohali. Bhai Gurmit Singh and his family members took langar at Guru Asra Trust before leaving for Patiala.
A petition for permanent release of Bhai Gurmit Singh and Shamsher Singh is pending before Punjab and Haryana High Court. The High Court is set to hear the petition on 9 February 2015.
Bhai Gurmit Singh along with Bhai Lakhwinder Singh (currently on parole) and Bhai Shamsher Singh is undergoing imprisonment for life in Burail Jail. They were convicted in Punjab CM Beant Singh assassination case.
Punjab CM Beant Singh had unleashed region of state-terror on civilian Sikh population after assuming office in 1992. The period of 1992-95 was marred by mass level atrocities on the civilian Sikh population when thousands were subjected to enforced disappearances, killed in fake/ staged encounters and were cremated as “unclaimed dead bodies”.
CM Beant Singh had put the existence of the Sikhs, especially the youth sections, under threat. He was assassinated out of existential concerns. Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara and Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana were granted death sentences in this case. Bhai Hawara’s death sentence was turned in to imprisonment for life (till death) by Punjab and Haryana High Court, while Balwant Singh Rajoana is still facing death sentence. On the other hand CBI has appealed to the Supreme Court of India to restore death sentence against Jagtar Singh Hawara.