SDM probing case seeks evidence from the public

KURUKSHETRA : Five days after Kurukshetra deputy commissioner SS Phulia ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death of Sikh activist Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, Shahbad SDM Satbir Kundu has appealed to the public to provide any evidence related to the case.

Khalsa had committed suicide by jumping off a water tank in his native village of Thaska Ali in Kurukshetra on March 20, in protest against the government’s alleged failure to release Sikh prisoners lodged in various jails of the country, who have completed their sentences.

“We have issued a public notice and anybody could provide evidence about the suicide case, including the family members of the deceased,” were pressuring him to come down following which he jumped.

SGPC SHOULD PAY RS 1 CR TO KHALSA’S KIN, SAYS JHINDA

the SDM told Hindustan Times.

He said that the investigation has been initiated and it will take about two to three months to complete the probe. Notably, the magisterial inquiry was ordered following a demand by Sikh hardliners, who held a five-day protest in Khalsa’s native village and accused two SHOS of provoking him to commit suicide.

Though under pressure the police had registered an FIR under Section 302 (murder) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) against unknown cops, Sikhs were demanding that a fresh FIR under Section 306 (abetment to suicide) be registered against the two SHOS.

However, the police said that a fresh FIR could be registered only after the investigation.

Khalsa’s family had earlier said that they had enough evidence and videos to prove that the police officers Meanwhile, Haryana SGPC (ad hoc) president Jagdish Jhinda has demanded that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) should give financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to Khalsa’s family. He said the Haryana SGPC (ad hoc) has already given a financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to the Sikh activist’s family.

Jhinda also appealed to the Haryana government to provide a government job to a member of Khalsa’s family. He accused the SGPC of ignoring Haryana in its budget and said the SGPC should have allocated Rs100 crore for the Miri Piri Medical College And Hospital in Shahbad.