Was tortured during probe, says granthi

Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, January 10

Punjabi Ekta Party chief Sukhpal Khaira today alleged that the Justice Jora Singh Commission was a defunct and fraudulent panel that tried to cover up the role of the Akali Dal and dera supporters in the sacrilege and police firing incidents.

Justice Jora Singh had yesterday questioned the state police’s role in Bargari sacrilege probe and improper questioning of the granthi of Burj Jawahar Singh Wala village, Gora Singh.

Khaira today held a press conference along with Gora Singh and Gurmukh Singh, a resident of Bargari, and alleged that the duo had been subjected to third-degree torture during the course of the investigation by the Justice Jora Singh Commission.

Gora Singh alleged that at least 15 people from his village were tortured during the probe and one of them had even lost his mental balance. The duo also alleged they had been pressured to take the blame for the desecration or name brothers Rupinder Singh and Jaswinder Singh as culprits.

Gora Singh alleged: “We had been subjected to torture for three years. I was even given electric shocks. My wife was tortured and had to be hospitalised. Karamjit Singh, a granthi of Gursar Gurdwara Sahib, was also tortured and he can barely speak now.”

Gurmukh Singh alleged: “They constantly told us that the blame would be put on us unless we name someone else. They had even demolished my house.”

While the Congress government announced a compensation for the duo some time ago, they said they were yet to get justice.