ABOHAR, Punjab—The court of Additional District and Sessions judge Daya Ram Godara in Hanumangarh has sentenced Nagender Singh of Sehna village (Barnala) and Nirmal Singh of Kharlian village (Peelibanga) to life imprisonment for assasinating Suraj Muni, head of an anti-Sikh cult in Peelibanga, who was responsible for the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in 2012.
On the other hand, the court has acquitted Baba Amritpal Singh of Barnala, and Sewak Singh of Dhurkot (Barnala), giving them the benefit of doubt. Sikhs from Punjab and Rajasthan had in huge numbers gathered outside the court complex in support of the Sikh youths.
The background the case
In 2012, followers of Suraj Muni had immersed a Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib which was damaged, in a canal. The sacrilege of Guru Sahib had triggered strong protests in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Suraj Muni had explained that the Saroop had been partially damaged during the demolition of a part of the dera complex on the directions of the Rajasthan High Court on a PIL against encroachments. His followers had silently immersed it in a canal, he had added.
As some Sikhs spotted some Angs (pages) in their fields, they informed religious leaders. A case was registered. Suraj Muni was arrested and remanded in judicial custody. Two weeks after his release on bail, three armed Sikh youths had entered the cult premises and assassinated him.
