CM seeks release of Sikh detainees

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 24

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today wrote to his counterparts in UP, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Karnataka and Gujarat, besides New Delhi Lt Governor and Chandigarh Administrator, to seek the release of 13 Sikh prisoners languishing in jails in these states.

He impressed upon them to consider the cases sympathetically as per the provisions of premature release policy of their states.

“If a prisoner is not released despite being eligible for premature release, resentment is bound to prevail in the minds of his sympathisers, which may even lead to agitation in certain segments of the society,” he said.

Badal has asked UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to consider the case of life convict Waryam Singh, who was lodged in Central Jail, Bareilly, despite having undergone 22-year imprisonment.

Likewise, he raised the issue of release of Gurmeet Singh Fauji, lodged in Tonk Jail, with Rajasthan CM Vasundhra Raje.

The Chief Minister has also taken up the cases of five life convicts, Gurmeet Singh, Shamsher Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Subeg Singh and Nand Singh, with UT Administrator Shivraj V Patil for their release.

Lodged in Burail Jail, Gurmeet, Shamsher and Lakhwinder had already completed 19 years of imprisonment while Subeg and Nand Singh had been in jail for 15 years.