HC tells Punjab DGP to ensure Bhai Kulbir Singh Barapind’s presence in Trial Court; Bail plea lays pending

Chandigarh/ Punjab (February 19, 2014): It is learnt that the Punjab and Haryana high court has directed the Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure that SGPC member and Akali Dal Panch Pardhani president Bhai Kulbir Singh Barapind is present in the Jalandhar trial court to record on the next hearing of a case against him.

The direction came on February 17 during the resumed hearing of a regular bail petition by Bhai Kulvir Singh Barapind. It may be recalled that Bhai Kulvir Singh was arrested by the Nawanshehr Police on intervening night of 19 and 20 September 2012 under 107/151 of Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.PC) allegedly in wake of Bharat Bandh call given by the BJP led NDA.

While he was lodged in Ludiana Jail on September 21, 2012 the police registered a case against him under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

In April last year, the trial court had rejected his bail petition, and he had, later, moved the high court, alleging political motive behind his arrest.

In the High Court justice Daya Chaudhary heard his bail petition but declined to pronounce any decision and distanced herself from the case, following the matter was refereed to Justice K. C. Puri.

During the hearing, Bhai Barapind’s counsel Advocate R. S. Cheema argued that the state government had faulted in complying with the high court directions for producing all witnesses and not taken Bhai Barapind to the trial court on the last hearing.

Next hearing in the trial court is on February 25, 2014.

The High Court to hold next hearing on bail plea on March 3, 2014.