Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Kumar Sampla has confirmed that he will appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2015 Behbal Kalan police firing incident on September 3.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the SIT had initially summoned Sampla to appear in Chandigarh on September 2 for questioning. However, the former Union Minister, citing pre-scheduled commitments, formally requested the investigating team to reschedule his appearance for the following day.
Sampla stated that he has assured the SIT of his full cooperation in the ongoing investigation and will provide any necessary assistance. He reiterated his demand for access to documents pertinent to the inquiry, asserting that the SIT has not yet furnished him with any relevant papers despite his repeated requests.
Speaking on the matter, Sampla expressed his rationale for needing the documents, saying, “When I do not even know on what basis the SIT is calling me, on what basis can I record my comments or statement?” He emphasized his readiness to cooperate fully but stressed that the investigating team should also provide him with the necessary documentation to ensure the inquiry progresses in the correct direction.
The Behbal Kalan firing incident occurred in October 2015, following protests against alleged desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, in Punjab’s Faridkot district. Police opened fire on protestors, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, Gurjit Singh and Krishan Bhagwan Singh, and injuring several others. The incident led to widespread condemnation and subsequent investigations.
The Punjab government had formed an SIT to investigate the circumstances surrounding the police action and bring those responsible to justice. Several individuals, including police officers and politicians, have been questioned or summoned as part of the ongoing probe. The investigation has faced several delays and legal challenges over the years.
Sampla, a prominent Dalit leader from Punjab and former Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, has been a significant figure in state politics. His involvement in the Behbal Kalan firing case investigation has drawn considerable attention, given his past political roles and affiliations.
The SIT’s request for Sampla’s appearance indicates a deepening of the investigation, with authorities seeking to gather more information from individuals who may have had knowledge of or influence over the events leading up to and following the firing incident. The former Union Minister’s demand for documents underscores the procedural aspects of such investigations, where access to relevant information is crucial for a fair and transparent inquiry.
Legal experts note that the provision of documents to individuals summoned for questioning is a standard procedure in many investigative processes, allowing the concerned party to prepare their statement and understand the basis of the inquiry. The SIT will now need to address Sampla’s request for these documents before his appearance on September 3.
The Behbal Kalan case remains a sensitive issue in Punjab, with victims’ families and various social organizations persistently seeking justice. The progress of the SIT’s investigation, including Sampla’s deposition, is expected to be closely watched by the public and political circles alike.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
