Sri Amritsar- Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, has taken serious note of the allegations made by the family of Sikh detainee Sandeep Singh, resident of Amritsar, who is lodged in Patiala Jail, regarding torture inflicted upon him by jail and police officials. He has called for a high-level investigation into the matter.
He said that despite the orders of the Patiala District Court on September 15, no medical examination of Sandeep Singh has yet been conducted by the jail or police administration. The court had directed that after the medical examination, the report should be submitted before 10 am on September 17. He remarked that this clearly shows the level of respect Punjab Police has for court orders and in upholding the conduct of respected court. Instead of conducting the medical examination and submitting the report in court, the jail and police authorities have delayed the matter and have transferred Sandeep Singh from Patiala Jail to Sangrur Jail, he said.
Jathedar Gargajj said that while the jail and police administration should act in accordance with the law, their conduct in this case—especially since it concerns officers convicted in cases of extra-judicial killings of Sikh youths—raises serious questions and lacks transparency. He said it is deeply concerning that, despite court orders, no medical examination of Sandeep Singh has been carried out so far, which strongly indicates that he has been subjected to severe torture by jail and police officials.
The Jathedar said that the jail administration should immediately conduct a medical examination of Sandeep Singh and submit its report to the court. He further asked that the doctors and officials conducting the medical examination must ensure complete transparency and honesty.
The Jathedar stated that if torture of Sandeep Singh is confirmed, an FIR should be registered against the guilty jail and police officials, they should be suspended from service, and strict punishment must be given. He further said that if the jail administration had acted in time on the application submitted by Sandeep Singh’s family to change his barrack, this entire incident could have been avoided.
Jathedar Gargajj emphasized that the full responsibility for the safety of any prisoner serving a sentence inside the jail rests with the jail administration and the government. “If prisoners’ lives are endangered and they are subjected to torture within the prison itself, it raises very serious questions. Punjab Jail Minister should order to conduct a high-level inquiry into the matter with full seriousness and take action against the guilty officials”, said Jathedar Gargajj.