2015 SACRILEGE, FIRING: PANEL RECORDS 150 STATEMENTS

FARIDKOT: The Justice Ranjit Singh Commission has recorded statements of a total of 150 witnesses, including 90 cops, in the alleged sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and police firing at Behbal Kalan village of the district in 2015.

Justice Singh (retd), a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana high court, was on a threeday visit to Faridkot to probe the sacrilege and police firing. He recorded the statements on Friday as well.

The commission is learnt to have recorded statements senior police officials also.

Justice Singh said, “We visited the spots where the incidents took place and have got a fair idea of how things had unfolded. We are inviting more people who can put light on the facts of the firing and sacrilege, so that we can submit a correct report. I request the victims who don’t want to reveal their identity to approach us. We will ensure their secrecy.”

The commission was appointed in April this year by the Congress government a month after coming to power. The new panel was formed as the report by the Zora Singh Commission appointed by the previous SAD-BJP regime was deemed inconclusive by the Capt Amarinder Singh government.

Justice Zora Singh Commission had submitted its report on July 1, 2016, but it was not made public. Witnesses, in the local court, had accused senior officials of firing.

We visited the spots where the incidents took place and have got a fair idea of how things unfolded. We are inviting more people who can put light on the facts. JUSTICE RANJIT SINGH (RETD)