Chandigarh, July 16: The Special Investigation Team probing the Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura sacrilege-linked firing cases has summoned Shiromani Akali Dal president and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal for questioning. The former leader is scheduled to appear before the investigative panel on Monday.
Government officials stated that this recent development follows a formal statement by BJP leader Vijay Sampla. During his questioning, Sampla denied signing a critical representation that had been submitted to the Punjab Governor alongside Sukhbir Badal regarding the sacrilege incidents, though he requested investigators to produce the original document to verify his signature.
The ongoing inquiry is examining the decision-making chain that preceded the police action against demonstrators in October twenty fifteen. Sources close to the probe asserted that former Akali Dal MLA Mantar Singh Brar previously informed the investigators of communications with top cabinet and police leadership immediately before the crackdown.
Additionally, the Officer on Special Duty to the then Chief Minister has confirmed that the directives to clear the demonstration site were issued during the late hours of the night. This detail is being analyzed by investigators to determine the exact sequence of authorization for the police action, which resulted in the deaths of two protesters and left several injured during demonstrations in Faridkot district.
