Kotkapura SIT grills Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale for 3 hours

Tribune News Service
Patiala, July 5

The new Special Investigation Team probing the Kotkapura police firing incident today questioned and recorded the statement of Sikh preacher Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale at Circuit House, Patiala.

Questioned for around three hours, Dhadrianwale is a key witness in the case. He, along with other preachers, was present at Kotkapura Chowk where those protesting the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib were reportedly fired at and canecharged in 2015.

Soon after recording his statement, Dhadrianwale slammed the previous government for mishandling the entire issue. “It is impossible to believe that the decision of police action was taken at the level of the local administration because the issue was so big. I am sure prominent leaders and senior officers of the then government were aware of the police action.” He said it was sad that despite a Sikh government in power, it (the Badal government) could not deliver justice. “Instead of finding the mastermind of the incident, the then government canecharged the peaceful protesters.”

On parties using the incident as a poll issue ahead of the Assembly elections, he said: “One should not politicise the incident. However, if the government (incumbent) fails to deliver justice, people will give their verdict because people are supreme in democracy.”

He said: “This is the fourth time I recorded my statement in the Kotkapura incident. I will always cooperate and hope justice will be delivered.”