A new update on the Bargari sacrilege case has arrived. Five co-accused in the Bargari Sacrilege case have now moved to SC seeking a trial of transfer outside Punjab All 5 had filed a petition before the SC, through their counsel, to transfer the case out of Punjab citing threat to their lives. This comes after the killings of fellow accused Pardeep Singh and Mohinder Pal Singh Bittu.
The SIT team, police officials, including former IG Paramraj Singh Umranangal have shown their concern over the matter demanding a final verdict on the case.
Also read Who is Paramraj Singh Umranangal?
Background of the Bargari Sacrilege Incidents
12 individuals have been accused in connection to three related cases stemming from events in 2015. On June 1st, a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib was stolen from the village of Burj Jawahar Singh Wala. Later, on September 24th, derogatory posters appeared in Bargari. Finally, on October 12th, torn pages from a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib were found near the Bargari gurdwara.
Murder of Pardeep Singh Kataria (co-accused in the 2015 Bargari Sacrilege incidents)
Pardeep Singh Kataria who was out on bail in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege case, was shot dead by six assailants in his shop at Kotkapura in Faridkot on November 10. He was under police protection. He was granted bail in the Bargari sacrilege cases on August 3, 2021.
Total Number of Accused in Punjab Sacrilege Case
There are a total of 12 accused in three interlinked cases Of the 12 accused in the three cases, three have been declared proclaimed offenders (POs), while Pardeep was shot dead on November 10.
The plea has been filed by five dera followers, namely Sukhjinder Singh alias Sunny, Shakti Singh, Ranjit Singh alias Bhola, Nishan Singh, and Baljit Singh, in the SC in December. The five have been named accused in all three cases.
Absence of Accused in Trial Court
Since the murder of Pardeep, the accused have not appeared in trial court siting “threat to life.”An application was moved by counsel for the accused for granting exemption from personal appearance on the ground that they are facing threat to life.
The accused counsel also submitted that they had also moved an application before the court for transfer of this case due to security reasons and requested a long adjournment in the case. Chief judicial magistrate Monika Lamba adjourned the matter to February 21.
Also read AAP Government is Playing Games in Sacrilege Cases
Conclusion
The entire episode has created a void and lack of trust in the SIT team and the Punjab judicial services. 12 accused are continuously finding easy escape in the case.
Asking for a long adjournment and transfer of the case to SC is an easy excuse to buy the court’s time.
People of Punjab demand an immediate decision on the case so that the accused are punished. Justice by the court is expected as soon as possible.
Read about Paramraj Singh Umranangal – A Visionary and Proactive Social Worker