Latest Breaking News from Punjab - Sunday 10th June 2007

The Saucha Saudha Head will not be allowed to do satsang - Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgrah Takhat Shri Damdama Sahib.

Murder Case 5 dera men to be charged

Ambala, Special Judge, CBI court, Ambala, R.K. Saini ordered the framing of charges against five members of the Dera Sachha Sauda, Sirsa, in Ranjeet murder case here today.
The five persons are Kishan Lal, Avtar Singh, Inder Sain, Sabdil Singh and Jasbir Singh.
Also, arguments on the bail application of Avtar Singh were held today. The arguments will now be heard on June 11.
Ranjeet, a Kurukshetra resident, who was part of a 10-member management committee looking after the functioning of the dera, was murdered on July 10, 2002.
It was believed that some of the dera functionaries suspected Ranjeet’s involvement in the circulation of an anonymous letter that carried several charges against the dera chief.
The police arrested dera manager Krishan Lal and four others in this regard.
Later, on the directions of the High Court the investigation was handed over to the CBI.
The CBI filed its first charge-sheet in the court in November, 2005. A supplementary charge-sheet was filed in January, 2006.
The CBI also recovered the car and the weapon used in the murder of Ranjeet.
The CBI is already investigating two other cases against dera, one involving the murder of Sirsa-based journalist and another for sexual exploitation of a woman disciple.

Daljit Bittu himself present before police; Another case registered against him

Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) senior vice president Daljit Singh Bittu Saturday presented himself before police to join investigation at Fatehgarh Sahib police station but police refused to question him.
The court of District and Sessions Judge, Fatehgarh Sahib on June 7 stayed the arrest of Bittu after his lawyers filed bail application under section 438 of CrPC for grant of anticipatory bail in a 'sedition case’ which was registered against Bittu and others on May 31 on the statement of Fatehgarh Sahib SHO Darshan Singh. In the bail application Bittu’s lawyers also submitted that Bittu was ready to join the investigation and will make himself available.
Bittu along with activists of SAD (Amritsar) he present himself before the police around noon. Before coming to join investigation, Bittu and SAD activists raised slogans against Dera Sacha Sauda chief and demanded his immediate arrest.
Inspector Vikas Sabbarbal was present at Fatehgarh Sahib police station when Bittu came to join investigation but Fatehgarh Sahib SHO Darshan Singh was not at police station. Sources said that the Bittu showed stay orders on his arrest to police officials who told him that his requirement of joining police investigation was not mentioned in court order.
Later, Bittu’s lawyers submitted application in the court of District and Sessions Judge, Fatehgarh Sahib and told the court that Bittu was not allowed to join police investigation when he had gone to join investigation. They requested the court to direct police to allow Bittu to join police investigation.The judge fixed June 12 for hearing of the application. It may be mentioned here that the court had stayed Bittu’a arrest till June 12.


Makkar holds closed door meeting with Damdami Taksal head on dera issue

ANANDPUR SAHIB: Shiromani Gurdawara Parbhandak Committee(SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar on Friday night held a closed door meeting with Damdami Taksal head Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa here at Takht Kesgarh Sahib over dera Sacha Sauda issue.
The meeting continued for aboutone a half hour. Amarjit Singh Chawla former member of State Public Commission was also present in the meeting. It is belived the Sikhleaders have discussed future course of action against dera Sacha Sauda. While talking to the media persons, Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa and SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar confirned that they have considered several matters regarding Dera Sacha Sauda in the meeting. SGPC President said that they will form a panel of 20 advocates to contest the cases against Sikhs registered during Dera Controversy and lawyers of Bhathinda have already started their work. Makkar said that SGPC and Sant Samaj will jointly implement the call of boycott of Dera by Akal Takhat.While answering a question regarding Parmjeet Singh Sarna, Makkar said that he has to go to Delhi as people of Punjab do not like him.

Dera Head given highest security

Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will be given a Z-plus security cover by the Haryana government …this makes Dera chief one of the most protected people in the state after Governor AR Kidwai, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and former chief minister Bhajan Lal.
A state-level review committee approved a custom-built bulletproof vehicle for the Dera head. His request for an electronic pulse jammer vehicle — one that stops remote controls from being operated in its vicinity — to accompany his carcade is also under consideration.
Reaction :
15-member Khalsa Action Committee convenor Paramjit Singh Sarna said, “It is most unfortunate that a person facing criminal charges, including rape, blasphemy, land-grabbing and murder, has been provided security cover meant for a VVIP.’’


Punjab police book Bittu in another sedition case

FATEHGARH SAHIB: The Amritsar police reported to have registered another case of sedition against Daljit Singh Bittu senior vice president of Shiromani Akali Dal(Amritsar) who is already facing a sedition case for raising Khalistan slogans during protests against dera Sacha Sauda.

Bittu said on Saturday that Punjab police is registering false cases against him and other party activists only to make pressure. He said that earlier Fatehgarh Sahib police registered false case of sedition against him but now Amritsar police had also secretly registered similar case against him.
He said that people know that he had no fault but false cases were registered against the behest of SAD Acting president Sukhbir Badal.
Bittu said that Punjab government had now showed any interest in interest of Dera Sacha Sauda chief which had exposed Parkash Singh Badal led government. He said that his party and like minded persons are bound to implement the directions of Akal Takht at any cost . He said that a high level committee would meet Badal on June 11 to make pressure on the government to take action against Dera Sacha Sauda chief.