Amritsar, Punjab: Punjab government has backtracked from it’s commitments on Sikh political prisoners issue. The government has reportedly rejected the parole (temporary and conditioned release from prison) of Sikh political prisoner Gurdeep Singh Khaira.
As per media reports the decision is said to have been taken after the Amritsar rural police had submitted a negative report. In it’s report the police have reportedly maintained that after release on parole Gurdeep Singh Khaira may allegedly “attempt to flee and could cause a law and order problem”.
Sikh Political prisoner Gurdeep Singh Khera escorted by police on his arrival at Amritsar. He is now lodged at Amritsar Jail
The final authority on granting parole, Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat, confirmed that the parole plea of Gurdeep SIngh Khera has been rejected as per the feedback received from the Office of Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural).
SSP (Rural) Jasdeep Singh said that the reason cited by Gurdeep Singh Khera for parole was not convincing.
Gurdeep Singh Khera had reportedly mentioned in his application that he intends to get his house repaired and therefore, needs to avail parole.
“As per precedent, our team visited his native place to enquire about his intentions and did not get positive feedback. The reason he mentioned — house repair — too was found to be frivolous. All these reasons didn’t justify his parole plea.
Accordingly, the report was submitted to the DC’s office to take a final call,” he said.
Notably, Punjab government had declared to grant parole to Sikh political prisoners and also to consider their cases for premature release. But now the government has backtracked from it’s commitment.
Essential details related to Gurdeep Singh Khaira and his case:
Name: Gurdeep Singh Khaira
Father’s Name: Banta Singh
Address: VPO Jallupur Khaira,
District Amritsar, Punjab.Prison: Central Jail, Amritsar, Punjab.
Case/s related details: Gurdeep Singh was convicted by the court of Designated Judge of Bider on 15 December 1991 under section 3 and 6 of TADA Act, sections 120-B, 302, 307 and 427 of IPC. He was sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life. He was arrested on December 6, 1990 and has spent more than 24 years in prison.
He was never released from jail since the date of his arrest. His jail record is clean and there is no post conviction crime.
It is pertinent to note that he remained confined in prisons far away from his home state Punjab through the period of 24 years, before being transferred to Amritsar jail on June 26, 2015.