Sukhbir Badal Summoned by SIT as Sacrilege Probe Intensifies Ahead of Punjab Elections

DNI SUMMARY — KEY POINTS

• The Special Investigation Team has issued a formal summons to Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal regarding the 2015 Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura firing cases.
• This latest development follows testimony from former Union Minister Vijay Sampla, who allegedly disputed his signature on a memorandum previously submitted to the Punjab Governor.
• The investigation seeks to determine the sequence of events and decision-making processes that led to the fatal police crackdown on protesters nearly a decade ago.
• Political observers note that the summoning comes amid heightened tension with less than six months remaining before the upcoming 2027 Punjab Assembly elections begin.
• Badal has publicly stated he will comply with the investigation, though he continues to claim the probe is being driven by political motivations rather than justice.

The Special Investigation Team probing the 2015 sacrilege-linked police firing incidents has officially summoned Sukhbir Singh Badal to appear for questioning on Monday. As the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal and former Deputy Chief Minister, Badal held the home affairs portfolio when the violence erupted in Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura. The summons marks a significant juncture in the long-running probe, which has seen multiple investigations and legal challenges since two protesters were killed during demonstrations over the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib.

New Developments in Sacrilege Probe

Probing the decision chain leading to the unrest, investigators have focused heavily on the events of October 2015. Recent depositions have added complexity to the case, particularly the statement made by senior BJP leader Vijay Sampla. During his appearance before the SIT, Sampla reportedly challenged the validity of his own signature on a crucial memorandum presented to the Punjab Governor. This discrepancy has prompted authorities to seek direct clarification from the SAD leadership regarding the documentation and the broader circumstances surrounding that period.

Political rhetoric surrounding the case has escalated sharply as the 2027 state elections draw nearer. Critics from opposing parties, including the Congress, have questioned the timing of these legal developments after years of relative dormancy. While the government maintains that the investigation follows due legal process and evidence-based findings, the opposition alleges that the state administration is merely reviving sensitive issues to gain electoral leverage. The persistent cycle of allegations suggests that the sacrilege issue remains an deeply polarizing factor in Punjab’s political landscape.

Internal Testimony and Command Chain

Internal testimonies have started to shed light on the administrative atmosphere during the crackdown on demonstrators. Reports indicate that former SAD MLA Mantar Singh Brar provided insights to the SIT regarding discussions held with top-level officials, including the former Chief Minister and the Director General of Police. These details are vital for the inquiry as it attempts to establish accountability for the order to remove protesters. Investigators are now methodically reconstructing the timeline to identify exactly who authorized the use of force.

The role of the former Home Minister in the chain of command remains a primary focus for the SIT as they analyze official records. Sources close to the probe confirm that the OSD to the former Chief Minister has already corroborated that orders to disperse the protesters were issued during the night. These findings provide a granular look at the state-level decision-making process. The investigation team is now cross-referencing these statements with the testimonies of other key figures who were present or involved in the events.

Political Tensions and Election Focus

Responding to the summons, Sukhbir Singh Badal has publicly committed to cooperating with the investigation team despite his vocal criticisms of the process. He argues that his party is being targeted for political gains by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government. This stance is consistent with his past assertions that legal probes have been weaponized to weaken the Akali Dal. His readiness to appear suggests a strategy of visible compliance, intended to neutralize accusations that he is attempting to evade the reach of the law.

Previous investigations into the firing incidents have faced significant scrutiny and legal hurdles, including the quashing of earlier chargesheets. Several SITs have been constituted over the years, each attempting to navigate the volatile mix of religious sentiment and political accountability. The involvement of high-ranking police officials and former political masters has made this one of the most contentious criminal cases in recent Punjab history. The current SIT faces the immense task of securing findings that can withstand the rigors of a judicial trial.

Navigating Accountability and Future Proceedings

Future proceedings depend heavily on the evidence collected during this round of questioning and the subsequent assessment of the police crackdown. As the inquiry deepens, the focus will likely remain on whether the SIT can bridge the gap between circumstantial evidence and actionable legal proof. The public and various Sikh organizations are watching closely, as the demand for accountability for the deaths in Behbal Kalan remains a dominant emotional issue. How this case unfolds will undoubtedly shape the narrative leading up to the upcoming Assembly elections.