High Court judge refuses to deliver decision on bail petition of Sikh leader Bhai Kulvir Singh Barapind

Chandigarh/ Punjab (December 19, 2013): As per information available with the Sikh Siaysat News (SSN) the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s judge Justice Daya Choudhary has refused to deliver a decision on bail plea of Bhai Kulvir Singh Barapind, president of Akali Dal Panch Pardhani (ADPP). Bhai Kulvir Singh, a former armed Sikh freedom fighter, head the nationalist Sikh political party and he is elected member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) from Phillaur constituency.

As per information High court judge Justice Daya Choudhary was listening the bail plea of Bhai Kulvir Singh Barapind. The defence was arguing that the prosecution case lacks firm basis and Bhai Barapind’s detention should be brought to end and he must be granted bail; where as the government/ prosecution argued that his release could pose threat to “unity and integrity” of India.

As per information the prosecution even attempted to misguide the judge by making false or misleading statements.

“The prosecution was saying that Bhai Kulvir Singh was a proclaimed offender in more than 30 cases, where as the fact is that he is in custody of Punjab police/ govt. for last 15 months” said Bhai Mandhir Singh, secretary general of Panch Pardhani.

Mandhir Singh who attended the entire court proceedings told SSN that the prosecution attempted to misguide the court by saying that there were 30 cases pending against Bhai Kulvir Singh whereas the fact is that there is an international bar against the trial of those cases in Bhai Kulvir Signh’s case.

“Indian government has presented a list of 33 cases against Bhai Kulvir Singh to United States of America, while seeking his extradition, but the US court had granted extradition in 3 cases only and the terms of extradition treaty debars India from holding trial of those alleged 30 cases” Mandhir Singh explained.

He added that Bhai Kulvir Singh was acquitted by trial courts in all three cases in which his extradition was granted by the US Court.

According to information heated debate took place between defence and prosecution on December 16. The High Court judge has reserved her decision on Bhai Kulvir Singh’s bail plea for 17 December.

On 17 December the judge refused to deliver any decision or order in this cases and referred the matter to the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court to list this case for hearing by some other judge.

It is notable that Bhai Kulvir Singh Barapind was booked by Punjab police in September 2012 under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act after arresting him under 107/151 of Cr. P. C. His arrest was considered to be motivated from political reasons and it has been repeatedly maintained by ADPP spokesperson that Bhai Kulvir Singh has been framed by the police in false case.