Farmers Movement Archive

Punjab: Bail pleas of granthi, BJP leader rejected

BATHINDA: Bail applications of Gurmail Singh, granthi of Bathinda village gurdwara, and BJP Punjab state secretary Sukhpal Singh Sra were dismissed by the court of Bathinda additional sessions judge Baljinder Singh on Wednesday. Behind bars, Gurmail Singh had moved an application for regular bail while Sukhpal Sra had moved court for anticipatory bail. Both please were taken up simultaneously. Gurmail was arrested on May 20 for offering ardas in the gurdwara at Bir Talaab village for giving thanks to PM Narendra Modi, who had announced to make a Dalit as the CM if the BJP won in Punjab, and prayed for release of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who is jailed in rape cases. Later, when CCTV footage of Sra visiting Gurmail two days in a row came to light, his name was added in the case under conspiracy charges. The case was registered against Gurmail Singh on the complaint of advocate Harpal Singh Khaara, who argued the case and objected to bails to both.Khaara said, “Bail to granthi was opposed for going by the gravity of the offence as the ardas made by him about release of Dera chief was enough to cause disturbances as had happened in the past when the Dera head had worn attire similar to Guru Gobind Singh in 2007. The anticipatory bail to Sra was opposed saying earlier too he had faced a case under section 295A (outraging religious feelings, promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion) on January 10, 2021, for equating the Central farm laws with ‘Zafarnama’. The ‘Zafarnama’ is victory letter sent by Guru Gobind Singh in year 1705 to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.”

The Times of India

2021-06-17

Amritsar