Amritdhari Sikh denied permissions to depose in Ambala sessions court for wearing Kirpan

Chandigarh: An Amritdhri Sikh named Dilawar Singh has reportedly been denied permissions depose as witness in Ambala Sessions court. Ambala’s sessions judge Rajesh Gupta has reportedly passed a written order against Dilawar Singh directing him to remove his ‘Kirpan’ in order to depose in his court.

Dilawar Singh has moved to the Punjab and Haryana High Court through an NGO named ‘Lawyers for Human Rights’ against order of Ambala sessions judge.

Sikh Kirpan – is a sword that is considered to be integral part of practice of Sikh religion. [File Photo]

In his petition filed through Advocate Navkiran Singh, Dilawar Singh has alleged that the impunged order of Ambala session judge has resulted in violation of ‘right to freedom of religion’ as granted under Article 25 (B) of Indian Constituency.

In his petition Dilawar Singh said that he was to depose as a witness in a murder case under trial in Sessions Court of Ambala. As Dilawar Singh arrived in court wearing ‘Gatra Kirpan’, the session Judge Rajesh Gupta raised objections and asked him to remove his Kirpan. Dilawar Singh tried to explain to the Judge that ‘Gatra Kirpan’ is an integral part of Sikh faith. But the Judge didn’t listen to him. On next hearing the Judge passed a written order saying that Dilawar Singh could not depose as a witness unless he removes his ‘Kirpan’.

In his petition, moved through Advocate Navkiran Singh, Dilawar Singh has explained that Article 25 of Indian Constitution recognizes the right of a Sikh to wear ‘Kirpan’; where as right to depose as witness in a court is a legal right. He further explained that amendments made in the Ammunition Act in 1962 excluded the ‘Kirpan’ of Sikhs and ‘Khukhri’ of Gorkhas from definition of prohibted weapons.