Former CPS Mantar Brar fails to turn up before probe team

Former chief parliamentary secretary and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Mantar Singh Brar failed to turn up before the special investigation team (SIT) probing the Kotkapura firing case of 2015.

Brar, who was summoned by the SIT to record his statement, has now been called on November 9. Meanwhile, the SIT have recorded the statements of 14 eyewitnesses, including Amrik Singh Ajnala, parallel jathedar of Takht Keshgarh and Sikh preacher Bhai Panthpreet Singh. Some people belonging to various Panthic organizations also deposed before the probe team.

The statements were recorded under the supervision of inspector general (IG) Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh. Bhai Panthpreet Singh and Amrik Singh Anjala were among the Sikh preachers who led a massive protest against the previous Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government over sacrilege of Guru Granth sahib.

The duo was also among other preachers who were booked under the attempt to murder case registered at the Kotkapura police station on October 14, 2015. IG Singh said, “We have been investigating the case in , impartial and transparent manner.”

Mantar Singh Brar said he did not know that the SIT had summoned him on Thursday.“I will record my statement before the SIT whenever they will call me next time.” As per the Justice (retd) Ranjit Singh Commission report, Brar, who was then the local MLA, remained in the touch with the then chief minister and the district administration during the night before the firing took place in Kotkapura on October 14, 2015.