LUDHIANA, Punjab—The claim of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Badal that he has written to the governor of Gujrat for release of Bhai Lal Singh is highly misleading. The Governor of Gujarat in a letter written to senior Journalist Kuldip Nayar and senior advocate HS Phoolka has informed that the matter pertains to the administrative jurisdiction of Punjab Government and the Gujarat governor cannot interfere in the matters of Punjab Government.
Bhai Lal Singh Akalgarh is imprisoned in Nabha Jail since 24 years. Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa is observing hunger strike for the permanent release of Sikh political prisoners including Bhai Lal Singh who have completed their terms.
The High Court has 3 times recommended the Govt. to consider his case for release but unfortunately he has not been released. Gujarat Govt. is throwing ball into the Court of Punjab Govt. and Punjab Govt. throw back in the Court of Gujarat govt. No one has taken a decision. In its judgment dated 23rd August 2012, Punjab & Haryana High Court stated that there is no allegation against Bhai Lal Singh of committing any murder or any other act and therefore recommended the govt. to consider the case of his release.
A representation sent by Kuldip Nayar, HS Phoolka, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves and N.D. Pancholi secretary, Citizens for Democracy to Governor of Gujarat to release Bhai Lal Singh. A scanned copy is published below. In response to this representation, a reply was received from the office of the governor of Gujarat that the matter pertains to the jurisdiction of Punjab Govt. which means that it is Punjab Govt. which can take the decision to release Bhai Lal Singh.
While the Gujarat governor has taken a categorical decision that the Punjab Govt. is competent to deal with this matter, the Punjab Govt. has not taken any decision till today. Meanwhile, Parkash Badal is misleading the people by not bringing the complete facts to the public.
