In a dramatic turn in Punjab’s decades-long reckoning with militancy-era violence, a growing number of police officials have been convicted for their role in alleged fake encounters during the insurgency years (1980-1996). At the same time, dozens of Sikh prisoners jailed in terrorism-related cases, known as Bandi Singhs, have been released.
According to data collected by The Tribune, 129 police personnel — from constables to Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) — have been convicted over the past two years by a special CBI court in Mohali. Another 60 officers remain on trial. Convicted senior police officials include DIGs Balkar Singh Sidhu, Dilbagh Singh, Kultar Singh and Basra, along with SSPs Bhupinder Singh, Amarjit Singh and Surinder Pal Singh.
Parallel to these convictions, 82 of the 96 Bandi Singhs identified for release in 2014-15 were freed over the past five years. The remaining 14 include seven convicts in the 1995 assassination of then CM Beant Singh, among them Balwant Singh Rajoana and Jagtar Singh Hawara.
In a key political shift, BJP MP and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu (Beant Singh’s grandson) announced that he and his family would not oppose the prisoners’ release, reversing his earlier stance.
The Punjab Police Welfare Association has voiced concern over the convictions, saying officers had merely followed orders during a violent period. The association met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday, seeking relief, including restoration of pension for convicted officers. Kataria has asked Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and DGP Gaurav Yadav to examine the matter.