Jodhpur detainees in dilemma over compensation issue

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 1

With no indication from the Centre regarding withdrawal of its petition from the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) against the compensation awarded to the Jodhpur detainees, the latter are in a dilemma. The hearing has been fixed for July 2.

In absence of any communication from the Centre, the Jodhpur detainees have been preparing to attend the hearing.

In May 2017, the Amritsar court had directed both the Centre and the state governments to shell out Rs 4 lakh as compensation to the 40 detainees along with interest at the rate of 6 per cent per annum from the date of filing the suit. The order for compensation covered both the periods — illegal detention and “delay” in trial.

The state government has already given them its share of compensation amounting to Rs 2 lakh each with interest, but the Centre has challenged it. Though Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured to withdraw the writ, but it hasn’t been done till date.

Jasbir Singh Ghuman, one of the detainees and a lawyer, said, “Since the HC issued us notice to appear for a hearing tomorrow, I will attend it.”

“It will be known during the hearing in the court what exactly the Centre has decided. If it withdraws the petition, the case will be dismissed. On our own, we have prepared all requisite documentation,” he said.

The issue

As many as 365 persons were detained at a Jodhpur jail after Operation Bluestar to flush out militants from the Golden Temple in 1984. They were released after a few years. Over 100 have died. Of the detainees, 40 approached the court following which the latter awarded compensation. The court had asked the state and the Central Government to release the compensation around Rs 4.5 crore. But the Centre approached the High Court against the order. Though it has assured to withdraw the petition, no action has been taken so far.