CHANDIGARH, India: Professor Darshan Singh Ragi, the well known religious preacher was released on bail from Tihar jail in Delhi after ten months of detention, His bail application ‘was accepted by Delhi High Court some days back. He was arrested ‘on Jan, 1, 1986, near Chandigarh when he was going in a car to participate in a religious function. He was arrested by the Haryana police, Subsequently Delhi police also registered cases against him, Talking to the press after his return to his home, the forty eight year old Professor Darshan Singh Ji said that he had lost 33 kilos in ‘weight during his ten month detention because of persistent police torture. He said that immediately after his arrest, heavy chains were put both in his hands and feet and he was tied to a door. He was neither given any food nor provided any other facility. The police sent him to the hospital only after his condition considerably deteriorated. He said that he had only protested against the manner in which the government had insulted the Sikh traditions during and after Operation Blue Star and he ‘would continue making such protests in future also. He said he was not a political leader but only a religious preacher. He also alleged that Punjab government made no efforts to secure his release. In fact, he was certain that Punjab government was also a party to his arrest.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 24, 1986