Eight KLF terrorists charged under UAPA in Shaurya Chakra awardee’s murder case

Comrade Balwinder Singh Sandhu, who was conferred with the bravery award for fighting terrorism in Punjab, was gunned down in Bhikhiwind town of Tarn Taran district on October 16, 2020

The special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mohali on Monday framed charges against eight Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) terrorists in the murder of Shaurya Chakra awardee Comrade Balwinder Singh Sandhu.

The NIA in its chargesheet mentioned that Sandhu was killed with the intent to strike terror in the minds of people of India.

Sandhu, who was conferred with the bravery award for fighting terrorism in Punjab, was gunned down by two bike-borne men at his residence-cum-school in Bhikhiwind town of Tarn Taran district on October 16, 2020. The NIA had taken up the investigation on January 26, 2021.

The charges have been framed against Sukhraj Singh, alias Sukha, and Gurjit Singh, alias Bhaa, of Lakhanpal, Gurdaspur; Ravinder Singh, alias Ravi Dhillon, of Hussainpura, Ludhiana; Akashdeep Arora, alias Dhaliwal, of Salem Tabri, Ludhiana; Jagroop Singh of Basti Jodhewal, Ludhiana; Sukhdeep Singh, alias Bura, of Kharal, Gurdaspur; Inderjit Singh, alias Inder, of Rashiana, Tarn Taran; and Sukhmeet Pal Singh, alias Sukh, of Bhikhariwal, Gurdaspur.

They have been charged under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) , 212 (harbouring offender) and 302 (murder) of Indian Penal Code (IPC), besides under Sections 25(1B) and 27 of the Arms Act and Sections 16, 17, 18, 18B, 20, 23, 38, 39 and 40 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

However, the court discharged nominated persons Rakesh Kumar, alias Kala; Prabhdeep Singh, alias Mintoo; Chand Kumar Bhatia and Ravinder Singh Gian as the NIA could not establish their role in the murder. The counsel for the accused, Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, said that the case is now listed for a regular hearing on August 25 and will be taken up for evidence.

The NIA in its chargesheet mentioned that Sandhu was killed with the intent to strike terror in the minds of people of India and especially those opposed to Khalistani ideology. The transnational conspiracy was hatched by Pakistan-based self-styled chief of KLF Lakhvir Singh Rode and top foreign-based KLF terrorists, who provided arms, ammunitions and funds to the accused persons, it was alleged.