AMBALA, Haryana, India—Ambala Court has concluded the case of Baba Piara Bhaniarewala. Bhaniarewala was present during the hearing and was arrested after the sentence was announced. He could face imprisonment for 3 to 5 years. He was found guilty of hurting sentiments of the Sikh community in 2001 when he caused sacrilege to a saroop of Guru Granth Sahib ji by putting it on fire. He had also published his own book and sat it parallel to the Guru Granth Sahib asking his followers to pay obeisance to it.
Along with Bhaniarewala, seven others were arrested while 5 were acquitted. Although Sikhs welcomed the court sentence, imprisonment of only 3 years was declared not enough for such a heinous crime.
Police were deployed in large numbers and members of various Sikh organisations were present near the court.
Bhaniarewala’s supporters held a counter protest and plan to appeal the court’s verdict. The final ruling will be announced by the court on May 13.
