Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to SAD (Shiromani Akali Dal) leader and former Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal in the 2015 Kotkapura police firing caseThe Bench of Justice Raj Mohan Singh granted interim protection from arrest to Sukhbir Singh Badal with a ruling, “Till the next hearing date, the petitioner is directed to appear before the trial court within 15 days from today. In the event of his appearance, the trial court shall release the petitioner on interim bail subject to its satisfaction.”In defence of Sukhbir, the counsel reiterated his having clean hands in the Kotkapura firing with the statement of his absence and departure to Gurugram at the time of the incident and contended that he was unaware of the illegal police firing. Additionally, he said that the states current political system was dishonestly conspiring against him. The political system, which had openly stated on several venues that the petitioner and others would not be spared, has “implicated” the petitioner at its whim. It was further claimed that there had been a delay of more than seven years and that the same was based on ambiguous information without any supporting legal evidence.The prosecution claimed this alibi as a mere excuse to execute illegal actions using police force on October 12, 2015, and evade the responsibility “despite having knowledge” of the sensitivity and seriousness of the situation and the growing resentment amongst Sikh sangat at Bargari and Kotkapura.On March 16, a Faridkot court denied Sukhbirs request for anticipatory bail, but it did award Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbirs father and a former chief minister, interim protection from arrest.In the meantime, the court granted interim protection against arrest to Sukhminder Singh Mann, a former senior superintendent of police (SSP) who is also an accused in the chargesheet.The 2015 Kotkapura police firing case refers to the incident where police fired on a group of protesters demanding action against those responsible for the alleged desecration of a Sikh holy book. The incident resulted in several injuries and deaths and has been controversial and investigated in the years since.In the last month, the special investigation team (SIT) led by LK Yadav, who is the additional director general of police (ADGP), submitted a chargesheet in the police firing case. The charge sheet listed several accused, including the then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Singh Badal, Sumedh Singh Saini, and others. Sukhbir Singh Badal held the home portfolio, and Sumedh Singh Saini is a former Punjab Police chief and SSP.
