PATIALA, PUNJAB—Over four years ago in April 2010, an explosion took place in the area of the Arya Samaj Chowk in Patiala which injured 7 members of the public. The following day, SSP Ranbir Khatra made a statement that the blast occurred due to an electricity short circuit. However, some eight days later the police spun a much more sinister story in which they claimed it was actually a terrorist attack. In July 2010 the police raided the houses of 4 innocent Sikhs who were arrested and charged under the Explosives Act.
Today in the Patiala Sessions court of Judge Pushvinder Singh, the advocate for the four Singh’s Baljinder Singh Sodhi, the duplicitous and scheming way in which the police had acted was laid bare for all to see. All four of the accused – Harminder Singh, Manjinder Singh, Gurjant Singh and Jasvinder Singh – were fully acquitted in a case which never should have been.
However, their struggle does not end here as, as the Singhs are still facing other fabricated charges. Sikh Relief (SOPW) will continue to fight for them until they are freed. Sikh Relief Team stated that the fabrication of cases by Punjab Police is a normal activity.
