CHANDIGARH, Punjab—The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Shalini Nagpal on Saturday admitted Chandigarh police’s appeal seeking the custody of Sikh freedom fighter Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara in connection with Burail jailbreak case of 2004.
Bhai Tara is facing life imprisonment in case of assassination of the then Punjab Chief minister Beant “Singh” who mercilessly murdered Sikh youths during the later stage of Sikh militant movement. Along with his aides, namely Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara and Bhai Parmjit Singh Bheora, Bhai Tara absconded from Burail Jail in Jan 22, 2004 by digging a tunnel. After long span of time, he was arrested in Thailand and extradited to India just recently.
The court directed Tara’s counsel to submit a reply on the appeal and adjourned the case for February 23 when the arguments would be heard again.
On Friday, the Operations Cell of the Chandigarh police had submitted an appeal against the orders of the Magistrate, which had dismissed the remand application of Bhai Tara. In the appeal, the police have stated that the lower court has prevented and curtailed the police to investigate the case in a proper way.
On Tuesday, the court of Civil Judge Junior Division Harpreet Kaur had allowed Bhai Tara’s bail application dismissing the remand application moved by the operations cell.
According to the appeal filed on Saturday, the order of the lower court is “illegal and wrong which is liable to be set aside”. The appeal states that (Bhai) Tara cannot be discharged from the sections of sedition as he was a proclaimed offender at the time of framing of charges by the then Additional District and Sessions Judge.
