Final arguments to commence on May 2

Manish Sirhindi

Patiala, April 28

The final arguments in the 2007 Nihang killings case is all set to commence on May 2, which has been fixed as the next date of hearing.

Defence lawyer Brijinder Singh Sodhi said the final argument was likely to be taken up on a day-to-day basis, which might lead to early decision in the decade-old case.

On September 21, 2007, four members of Baba Balbir Singh group, including his father Baba Assa Singh, his sons Jagdish Singh and Bhajan Singh and nephew Karamjit Singh, were killed in the firing on the premises of Budha Dal, while Baba Assa Singh’s brother Darshan Singh and Baba Kartar Singh were injured in the attack.

They were attacked by the Baba Surjit Singh group, who was head of the horses of Budha Dal sect of the Nihangs.

The police had initially registered case against 12 persons and later added 30 more names to the FIR.

At present, 24 persons are facing trial, of which prime accused Baba Uday Singh and Baba Gurkirpal Singh were declared PO by the court. While his wife Manjit Kaur and daughter Manpreet Kaur and Kulwant Singh were granted bail. Head of the horses’ sect of Nihangs Baba Surjit Singh died during the course of 

court proceedings. The accused are presently lodged at the Patiala central jail, while one of them was shifted to the Bathinda Jail.