The US based rights group “Sikhs For Justice” (SFJ) have approached the Thai Government through its High Commissions in various countries urging it not to extradite Jagtar Singh Tara, who has been convicted in the Beant Singh assassination case.
In a release issued from Thailand on Tuesday, legal adviser, SFJ, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu informed that Tara would challenge Thai court’s order to extradite him to India adding that a top Thai defence lawyer specializing in extradition cases had filed his appearance on January 13 before Thai Criminal Court on behalf of Tara.
Pannun in formed that he along with a team of Thai attorneys had met Jagtar Singh Tara in Bangkok where he was being held in a high security prison on January 12.
“Thai extradition experts and US based rights group plan to challenge Tara’s extradition to India on the grounds that Thailand is signatory to UN Convention against torture which prohibits extradition of an individual to a country where he will be subjected to torture,” said GS Pannun.
Pannun claimed that “Tara’s extradition to India will be in violation of UN Convention because if extradited he will possibly face death sentence in India. We will submit documentary evidence to Thai court proving ongoing torture on Sikh detainees in India”.
Dal Khalsa Spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said their UK chapter head Manmohan Singh Khalsa along with representatives of other like minded groups had submitted a memo to the Thai Embassy in London “expressing concerns of the Sikh diaspora”. In a memorandum, the representatives of various Sikh organisations under the banner of the Federation of Sikh Organisations (UK), said in case Tara is deported, he may be sent to the gallows and this would be a setback to the ongoing anti-death penalty campaign worldwide.
The co-accused in his case has been awarded a death penalty. They said the Sikh diaspora urges the Thai authorities not to extradite Tara as he may face death sentence in India. They also referred to cases of Sikh political prisoners languishing in jails even after completion of their terms.
They also circulated a plea on social media, saying: “Please stop extradition of Jagtar Singh Tara to India. Please advice Thai authorities to deport him to Pakistan or grant him a refugee status in Thailand. He faces persecution if sent back to India.”
SAD (Amritsar) general secretary Jarnail Singh Sakheera said their leaders in France and UK have also submitted a plea before the Thai Embassy, urging it not to extradite Tara.