The Haryana police did enter the Punjab territory to arrest the Sikh preacher Professor Darshan Singh Raggi on January 1st, 1986, admitted a senior police officer of the Haryana Police according to Indian Express. He told the Indian Express reporters on January 9 that Prof, Darshan Singh and his three companions were taken into custody from near Banur in Patialla District, when they were on their way to attend a function there.
They were taken to Panch-Kula where his three companions were released. Prof. Darsharn Singh was arrested by the Haryana Police under the terrorist activities prevention act and conspiracy to kill the Harayana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal. Later the Punjab police registered a case against the Harayan Police for kidnapping Prof. Darsharn Singh without informing the Punjab police.
The police officer further said that Professor Darshan Singh was made to stand with only a vest and underwear for two nights in the chilly weather, When Prof. Darsham Singh complained of high blood pressure, he was moved to the local civil hospital.
Afterwards Superintendent of police, Mr. Satinder Kumar denied that Prof, Darsharn Singh was tortured, He maintained that he was arrested from Ambala City. Further he said that the police could not interrogate him since he was not keeping well. Meanwhile the Delhi police had sought the Custody of Prof. Darsharn Singh in Connection with a case registered against him in Delhi, Harayana police was undecided whether to hand over Prof, Darsharn Singh to Delhi police or get its police remand extended beyond January 15. Counsel for Prof, Darsharn Singh, Mr. Santokh singh said that even he was not allowed to see hint. He said that he along with Mr. Bhang Singh, secretary of the Sharomni Gurdawara Parbandik Committee approached the district police authorities on January 2nd, but they bluntly refused the permission. However, Mr. Satinder Kumar on the other hand contended that no representative came to see the Professor in this connection. Prof. Darsharn singh is being kept in the civil hospital under strict vigilance of the police. The Harayana police have fixed two tents on the lawns of the hospital just outside varanda turned room where Prof, Darsharn Singh was being held. When an Indian Express reporter visited the hospital, the varanda turned room Of Prof. Darsharn Singh was full of smoke. One of the nurses attending on him said the policeman present in the room smoked quite frequently depite the repeated protests from Prof, Darsharn Singh, Smoking is even otherwise, prohibited in the hospital, The relations of Prof. Darharn Singh were not happy with the arrangements in the hospital. They called on the Punjab Chief Minister and apprised him of the situation. The Punjab Chief Minister assured them that he would take up the matter With Mr. Bhajan Lal.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 17, 1986
