Chandigarh :
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, along with other accused, appeared before a Chandigarh court today in connection with the Kotkapura firing case.
The appearance took place following directions from the Additional Sessions Judge, Faridkot, which were issued in compliance with orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Court proceedings
As per the May 2 order of the Faridkot court, all accused were directed to appear before the Chandigarh court on May 12. The court also noted that, following the High Court’s April 9 directions, multiple related FIRs have been transferred to the Sessions Court in Chandigarh for trial.
The cases include FIRs registered in 2015 and 2018 related to alleged police firing incidents, charges of attempt to murder, unlawful assembly, and provisions under the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
Background of the case
The Kotkapura firing incident occurred on October 14, 2015, after protests erupted over sacrilege incidents reported earlier in Bargari and Burj Jawahar Singh Wala villages. Police allegedly opened fire on protesters during demonstrations, resulting in injuries, while a related firing incident in Behbal Kalan led to the deaths of two individuals.
Former Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini and several senior police officials are also among the accused in the case.
Legal developments
The High Court had earlier ordered the transfer of trials to Chandigarh while hearing petitions from accused police officers, who argued that related cases were already being heard there for consistency in proceedings.
The matter is now being heard by the Chandigarh Sessions Court, where further proceedings will continue.
