3 months on, police await home dept nod to prosecute duo held for ‘Khalistani links’

FARIDKOT:SEVEN months after the local police arrested two men from Kotkapura on May 10, claiming that they were radicals and had the backing of an Australia-based Khalistani outfit, police have failed to prosecute the duo.

The reason: Police have been awaiting the state home department nod for the same since September 2018. The approval is needed as they have been charged with Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Ordinance, 2004.

In Aug 2018, a local granted bail to the accused, Sandeep Singh 26, of Bathinda and Amar Singh, 48, of Sirsa, as the police failed to present challan before it. Police have maintained that they were backed by an Australia-based Khalistani outfit and also recovered two .30 bore pistols and 40 cartridges.

A source said the state government is supposed to take a decision regarding sanction for prosecution within seven working days of receipt of the recommendation of the authority. Faridkot SSP Raj Bachan Sandhu said, “Please contact the investigating officer, Khem Chand Prashar.”

“During interrogation after the arrest in May, the accused disclosed that they were in touch with one Gurjant Singh, based in Australia, who has been indulging in a “radicalisation” drive over Facebook. Gurjant also runs an organisation called International Sikh Federation,” the police had said.

Police added that Gurjant was also involved in financing a KLF terror module that carried out eight incidents of targeted attacks/killings in Punjab between January 2016 and October 2017.

VICKY, 38, HAD SHOT A VIDEO ‘CLAIMING CREDIT’ FOR THE CRIME AND ALSO THREATENED OTHER PEOPLE