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Finally after prolonged trials, Baljit Singh Bhau and Jasvir
Singh Jassa, alleged members of
Babbar Khalsa International have been acquitted from all
charges of carrying weapons without a license. Last week both
defendants were present in the court premises when the Chief
Justice announced the verdict. Chief Justice K.S. Cheema had
no choice but to release the innocent defendants due to the
fact that there was no valid evidence that the Singhs
committed any crimes.
After an informant gave false information about the two Singhs
carrying weapons without a license, Police decided to take
swift action. In June 2005, Patiala police charged Bhai Baljit
Singh Bhau and Bhai Jasvir Singh Jassa for carrying weapons
without a license under sections 121-A, 124-A, 153-A, 467,
468, 471, 120-B, 212, 216 of IPC and section 25. Both Singhs
were arrested in different places.
In 2007 the High Court dictated to the Patiala Court that the
Singhs cannot be tried under sections 121A, 124A and 153A of
IPC, since these charges were not made against the defendants
originally. In fact these charges were later fabricated by
Patiala Courts with the help of Police to further extend the
jail time of these defendants. The courts or police have no
legal reason to fabricate extra charges.
Defense council BS Sodhi stated from the inception of the
trial that his clients were innocent of all charges. He
mentioned to the Chief Justice that the prosecutors and
Patiala police have failed to provide any solid evidence that
can convict the Singhs of any charges. Furthermore, Police
could not give the Chief Justice reasonable cause that lead
them to believe that either Singh had broken any laws. Thus
both were acquitted from all charges.
Those Police and Court members who conspired to fabricate
false allegations against the defendants should be brought to
justice. It has been a tactic by authorities for the last few
decades to convict innocent Sikhs, especially amrittharis
(baptized Sikhs), without giving any legal precedence. For
example, Baljit Singh Bhau was charged for the Delhi cinema
blasts even though there has been no sufficient evidence that
proves Singh had any role in the blasts.
Even though he has been freed from illegal weapons charges,
Baljit Singh Bhau is currently residing in Tihar Jail for his
alleged involvement in the Delhi cinema hall blasts. Because
of Baljit Singh's alleged involvement with the renowned Babbar
Jathedar
Jagtar Singh Hawara, Patiala police, through lies and
deceit, have tried to extend the prison term of Baljit Singh
by any means possible. For example, when Baljit Singh was
first arrested in 2005 of June for allegedly carrying weapons
without a license, he was charged under sections 467, 468,
471, 120-B, 212, 216 of IPC and section 25. But later on the
police charged him under sections 121A, 124A and 153A of IPC
to further prolong the jail term if the Singh was convicted of
these charges. Authorities have made it clear that anyone
associated with Jagtar Singh Hawara will be tried and punished
without reasonable cause.
Rumor has it that Baljit Singh first came into contact with
Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara when he was arrested in 2001 for
causing riots in Patiala in 1997. As detailed in police
reports, at Burail Jail he met Hawara and the two discussed
religion and politics, after which they eventually became
close friends. When Hawara escaped Jail in 2004 he contacted
and met with Baljit Singh. During this time their friendship
continued to grow. In fact it was Baljit Singh who arranged
the marriage of Hawara. Later Baljit Singh was declared
commander of the BKI for Patiala, Sirhind, and Sangrur.
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