To keep these leaders away from each other due to security reasons, the state government carried out a day-long exercise shifting them to different jails yesterday.
Prominent among those arrested were Bhai Baljit Singh Daduwal, Bhai Dhian Singh Mand and Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala, who were appointed jathedars of Takht Damdama Sahib, Akal Takht (officiating) and Takht Keshgarh Sahib, SAD (A) chief Simranjit Singh Mann, Wassan Singh Zaffarwal and United Akali Dal leader Gurdeep Singh, United Akal Dal’s Bhai Mokham Singh (chief organiser of the Sarbat Khalsa).
While Simranjit Singh Mann has been released, Jathedar Daduwal has been lodged in Hoshiarpur jail, Jathedar Mand in Nabha jail, Jathedar Ajnala in Ferozepur jail, Zaffarwal in Gurdaspur jail, Gurdeep Singh in Bathinda jail, Mokham Singh in Ludhiana jail, Satnam Singh Manawa in Pathankot jail, Jaskaran Singh Kahn Singh Wala in Ropal jail and Sikandar Singh Varana in Nabha jail.
All of them were produced before the executive magistrates concerned under Sections 107 and 151 of the CrPC. The magistrates endorsed their judicial custody for 14 days. Later, they were shifted to different jails.
They were taken into custody to prevent them from proceeding towards the Golden Temple for the customary address on the occasion of “Bandi Chhor Divas” (Diwali).
Jathedar Mand, who was taken into custody only after his smart appearance at Harmandir Sahib complex around 4.15 pm yesterday. He delivered a parallel “Bandi Chhor Divas address”.
Jathedar Daduwal and his four supporters were arrested by the Patti police from Sarali Mandan village, around 20 km from Tarn Taran, last late evening. His arrested supporters were identified as Narinder Singh (Mansa), Rajwinder Singh, Gurwinder Singh (both from Bathinda) and Karanbeer Singh (Amritsar).
No senior police official was willing to officially comment on the development.
Jathedars Refuse to Furnish Bail Bonds
Meanwhile Sarbat Khalsa appointed Jathedars have refused to furnish bail bonds, citing that they had not committed any crime. Police too failed to present any evidence however the court allowed for their remand. Jathedar Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala has been sent to police remand until November 23. Jathedar Bhai Baljit Singh Daduwal was also presented in the court and has been sent to Patiala Jail. Jathedar Bhai Mand has been sent to the Nabha jail.
Khaira appeals to Guv Chandigarh: Congress spokesperson Sukhpal Khaira on Thursday urged the Chief Justice and the Governor to intervene and secure the release of detained Akali leaders
Patiala jail refuses to lodge Daduwal
Patiala: The drama pertaining to Sikh preacher Baljit Singh Daduwal being brought to the Patiala Central Jail ended with the jail authorities confirming that they had refused to lodge him for security reasons. Though Patiala SSP Gurmeet Chauhan kept saying that Daduwal was not brought to the city, the Sikh leader was “spotted” at the Police Lines. Virk confirmed that officers had approached the jail authorities with Daduwal’s orders, but they refused his custody. He said Daduwal was sent to Hoshiarpur jail.
Simranjit Singh Mann Released
Sardar Simranjit Singh Mann, who was also taken in preventive custody from his house at New Amritsar yesterday, was admitted to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital due to health reasons. He said his arrest was illegal for lack of warrants and that he would challenge the police atrocities in the high court.
Condemning the arrest of “jathedars” and their supporters, Mann said the action was taken at the behest of the Badal government.
“We demand the arrested persons be freed immediately, or it may lead to a serious law and order problem. We also want action against police officials who arrested them,” he said.