Chandigarh/ Punjab (November 19, 2013): As per information available with the Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) the Punjab and Haryana High Court held hearing on Akali Dal Panch Pardhani (ADPP) leader Bhai Kulbir Singh Barapind’s bail application on November 19, 2013.
During the hearing, conducted by Justice Daya Choudhary’s bench, the prosecution attempted to oppose the bail plea by supplying misguiding information to the court. The prosecution lawyers assisted by Paramjit Singh Rai, DSP Phillaur, told the court that Bhai Kulbir Singh Barapind was a proclaimed offender in around 30 cases.
Bhai Kulvir Singh Barapind’s counsel Advocate R. S. Cheema rebutted the prosecutions claim as untrue. He told the court that Bhai Kulbir Singh Barapind was brought to India under extradition treaty from the United States of America (USA). Bhai Kulbir Singh has already been acquitted by the trial court in cases under which he was extradited, and none other cases were pending against him.
Advocate R. S. Cheema who was assisted by Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema (acting President of ADPP) informed the court that the courts of Justice Grover, Justice Inderjit Singh and Justice Puri of Punjab and Haryana High Court have already granted bails to Bhai Daljeet Signh Bittu and Jaswant Singh Azad in similar cases. He demanded grant of bail for Bhai Kulvir Singh Barapind while maintaining that there was no valid reason to deny the bail.
However, the prosecution maintained that the case against Bhai Kulvir Singh Barapind was different from the cases against Bhai Daljit Singh and Jaswant Singh Azad.
After hearing both sides Justice Daya Chaudhary asked the prosecution to file affidavit explaining that how the current case was different from other (mentioned) cases. She has also asked the prosecution to explain the basis of their claim that Bhai Kulvir Singh Barapind was still a proclaimed offender in around 30 cases.
The High court has fixed 3 December 2013 as the next date for court hearing, and it is expected that the court may decide bail application on that date.