LUDHIANA: Simranjit Singh Mann, a member of the ad hoc committee of the Akali Dal (Amritsar), was produced handcuffed in the court of Harjinder Pal Singh, sub-judge cum judicial magistrate here, Jan. 30.
The court, taking a serious view of the matter, issued a notice to the state for February 10, to explain as to why he was handcuffed. It also ordered the removal of the handcuffs, which the policemen removed only when he was to have his meal.
Ranjan Lakhanpal, Jagjit Singh Gill and Rachhpal Singh Arshi, counsel for Mann, moved an application in the court against the handcuffing of their client. They cited a Supreme Court ruling to show that nobody could be handcuffed without the written permission of the court, which was not taken in this case. Moreover, Mann was only a political prisoner. They alleged that Mann had been hand culled on the orders of the Chief Minister Beant Singh
The court also dismissed request by the police for Mann’s remand and instead remanded him to judicial lockup till February 10. The police had requested for his remand on the pica that it wanted to recover some ans This was challenged by the defence counsel slating that the FIR did not make any mention of arms.
As per the FIR, the case pertains to August 1992, when in a speech at the Chhapar fair. Minn had threatened Beant Singh with similar role as that of the late Prime Minister. Indira Gandhi, and vowed to create Khalisian.
A large number of Akali workers from Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Barnala districts, led by Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Jagmohan Singh and Surjan Singh Thekedar raised proMann and the anti-government slogans as the detained leader was brought to the court from Patiala.
Talking to media persons on the occasion, Mann said his handcuffs were the biggest proof of the attempts being made by the government to crush the public voice against injustice and repression. He said he would continue his struggle relentlessly.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 3, 1995
