2015 Behbal Kalan firing case: Punjab Police SIT summons BJP leader Vijay Sampla on July 6

Hoshiarpur (Punjab), Jul 5 (PTI) A Punjab Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2015 Behbal Kalan police firing incident has issued fresh summons to former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sampla, asking him to appear before it on July 6. On Sunday, Sampla said he would not appear before the SIT on July 6, citing prior commitments. He, however, said he had informed the probe team that he would appear on July 7. In a statement, Sampla said he had conveyed to the SIT in writing that he would be unable to appear on July 6 due to unavoidable engagements and had confirmed his appearance the following day. The former Union minister said earlier he had already appeared before the SIT, cooperated with the investigation and submitted in writing that he remained committed to extending full cooperation at every stage of the probe. However, he reiterated his demand that the SIT provide copies of the documents, records or communications based on which his explanation was being sought. "Seeking an explanation from a citizen without furnishing the relevant documents is contrary to the principles of natural justice and due process of law," he said. Sampla alleged that despite repeated requests, the investigation team had failed to provide the material on which his signatures were allegedly relied upon or the documents forming the basis of the inquiry. He also renewed his allegation that the action against him was politically motivated. The SIT had earlier summoned Sampla under Section 179(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), stating that it believed he was acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the cases under investigation. Sampla first appeared before the SIT on June 23. He was subsequently issued fresh notices to appear again and has repeatedly sought copies of the documents forming the basis of the inquiry before recording his statement. The BJP leader has maintained that the questioning relates to a memorandum submitted to the Punjab governor in 2018 and has contended that any such memorandum was submitted jointly by leaders of the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal when the two parties were alliance partners. The SIT is probing two cases registered at the Bajakhana police station in Faridkot district in 2015. An FIR dated October 14, 2015, was registered under various provisions of the IPC, the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, while another FIR dated October 21, 2015, includes charges under Sections 302, 307 and 34 of the IPC along with provisions of the Arms Act. Incidents related to the theft of a 'bir' (copy) of Guru Ganth Sahib from Burj Jawahar Singh Wala gurdwara, putting up handwritten sacrilegious posters in Bargari and Burj Jawahar Singh Wala, and torn pages of the holy book scattered at Bargari, occurred in Bargari in Faridkot in 2015. These incidents led to anti-sacrilege protests in Faridkot. In the police firing on the anti-sacrilege protesters in October 2015, two persons-- Gurjeet Singh and Krishan Bhagwan Singh--were killed in Behbal Kalan, while some persons were injured at Kotkapura in Faridkot. Claiming that the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab was attempting to divert public attention from pressing issues, Sampla referred to the recent decision of the Akal Takht Sahib concerning Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and alleged that the state government was under "moral and political pressure" and was targeting opposition leaders to shift the public narrative. He further alleged that instead of addressing issues such as drug abuse, unemployment, deteriorating law and order, farmers' concerns and stalled development, the state government was pursuing a political vendetta against its opponents. Reaffirming his faith in the Constitution, the judiciary and the rule of law, Sampla said he welcomed a fair and transparent investigation and was prepared to cooperate fully, provided the probe adhered to the principles of natural justice, transparency and due process. PTI COR SUN MPL MPL