Hoshiarpur: The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Priya Sood pronounced verdict in a case registered by Punjab police against some Sikh youths for propagating Referendum 2020. The case was registered against Bikramjeet Singh, Hardeep Singh, Jaspreet Singh and Kuldeep Singh under FIR number 93/2016; police station Chabbewal in Hoshiarpur district. The police had registered the case under section 25 of Arms Act and sections 10, 11, 13, 17, 19, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
File Photo of Jaspreet Singh Jassa propagating Referendum 2020 in Punjab | Photo Source: Screenshot from a YouTube video by Sikhs For Justice
The police had made huge claims after arresting quartet but the trial court today acquitted them from charges under the UAPA. The court, however, convicted Hardeep Singh, Jaspreet Singh and Kuldeep Singh under the Arms Act. Bikramjeet Singh was acquitted from all charges in this case.
The office of defense counsel and senior lawyer Advocate Baljinder Singh Riar told Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) that the court has sentenced Hardeep Singh and Jaspreet Singh to undergo 3 years imprisonment each. Kuldeep Singh was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment.
Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur who maintains the list of Sikh political prisoners told Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) over phone that Kuldeep Singh has already spent more time in jail than the terms of his sentence therefore he will be released from jail today. The custody of Hardeep Singh Jaspreet Singh is also nearing the term of three years, he added.
It may be recalled here that Jaspreet Singh Jassa was brutally tortured in custody by the police police after his arrest in aforesaid case. Readers may read LFHRI’s Fact Finding Report on Custodial Torture of Jaspreet Singh Jassa.