THE KEY accused in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege case died after he was allegedly attacked by two inmates in Punjab’s high-security Nabha jail Saturday evening.
According to autopsy report, Mahinder Pal Bittu, who was attacked with iron rods by jail inmates, had died due to serious head injuries.
Police booked Gursewak Singh, a murder convict, and Maninder Singh, an undertrial in a murder case, for killing Mahinder Pal Bittu (49). The two allegedly attacked Bittu with two rods removed from a ventilation window. He was declared brought dead at Nabha Civil Hospital. An FIR has been registered at Sadar Nabha police station, said IG Rai.
In June 2018, Kotkapura Police had booked Dera Sacha Sauda follower Mohinder Pal Bittu for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, carrying an illegal weapon and his alleged involvement in unlawful activities.
Key accused Mahinder Pal Bittu was arrested by a Special Investigation Team of the Punjab Police headed by Ranbir Singh Khatra, from Himachal Pradesh’s Palampur. For the past 10 months, he was lodged in the high-security Nabha jail. He was the main conspirator of the three-year-old case of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib at Bargari of Faridkot.
Punjab CM orders probe
Following the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh ordered an inquiry and warned of stringent action against the accused.
According to the reports, ADGP Prisons Rohit Chaudhary will head the fact-finding committee. He has been asked to submit a report into the case within three days.
Captain Amarinder Singh has also ordered beefing up of security in the state in the wake of the attack on Mohinder Pal Singh Bittoo. He has also appealed all the communities to maintain peace and not give in to the rumours.
“Those involved in the attack would face punishment for the crime,” Amarinder Singh asserted.
Duo in four-day custody
- The Nabha court has remanded accused Maninder Singh and Gursewak Singh in police custody for four days until June 27
- They have been booked under sections 302 (murder), 120-B (conspiracy), 34 of IPC
- Patiala Range IG AS Rai said: “We are studying jail records to know who the accused were in touch with recently. They will be grilled before being produced in court.”