SIT summons ex-Punjab DGP in sacrilege, firing cases

Chandigarh, Feb 21 (IANS) Former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini has been summoned by the Punjab Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the cases of sacrilege and firing incidents in Punjab in 2015.

Saini, a high-profile police officer, who was DGP during the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP) government in Punjab, has been asked to appear before the SIT at the Punjab Police headquarters here on February 25.

The SIT is investigating the reasons behind the firing on Sikh protesters, agitating against sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib, during the SAD-BJP regime (2007-2017).

The SIT has already arrested two senior police officers -- Inspector General (IG) of Police Parampal Singh Umranangal and former Moga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Charanjit Sharma -- in connection with the firing incidents.

The IGP was arrested from Chandigarh on Monday in connection with the Behbal Kalan firing in the Faridkot district in October 2015 in which two people were killed and several others injured.

Sharma and three other police officers were booked for murder and attempt to murder following recommendations by the Justice (retd.) Ranjit Singh Commission of Inquiry into the sacrilege cases and firing incidents.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was also questioned by the SIT on November 16, 2018.

SAD President Sukhbir Badal, who was the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister at that time, was also quizzed by the SIT.

Punjab was brought to a standstill in October 2015 with radical Sikhs and others blocking highways and roads for days following the incidents.