NEW DELHI: Seizure of 15 kilograms of RDX from the residence of a worn an near Chandigarh last week may have brought into question Director General of Punjab Police K.P.S. Gill’s claim that a “suicide bomber” had used “gelatin mixed with copper and tin,” to kill Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team investigating the case has ‘been able to establish a link between Harpreet Kaur, the woman in whose house the explosive was found, and Jagiar Singh Hawara, the main suspect  who had masterminded the killing of Beant Singh. This also been established that Jagtar had used premises of the house to hide the large quantity of RDX, part of which was used in killing Beant Singh, sources said.

“Though we are yet to receive forensic reports, which will ultimately confirm the explosives used in the murder, there is at least the first perceptible evidence that the RDX hidden at the instance of Jagtar Singh had connection with the Beant Singh murder,” a senior CBI official on condition of anonymity said.

Gill, however, had claimed and reclaimed that the “suicide bomber’ had used gelatin mixed with copper and tin to kill Beant Singh.

He had categorically ruled out use of RDX on the basis of his distinguished ‘experience with the explosives.

Gill was hauled up by Union Home Minister S.B. Chavan for making such “premature” statements, even as the CBI team had not reached to any clear out decision.

The first indication that RDX and not gelatin was used in the murder, however, does not rule out the “suicide bomber” theory, sources said.

The CBI is still continuing investigations on the lines of the “suicide bomber” theory, while not completely ruling out the possibility that the bomb might have been placed in the Beant Singh’s car.

“We are still awaiting forensic report and DNA report of the: suspected suicide bomber. Only then, we will be able to say which of the two theories and even possibly any other reason that was behind the Beant Singh murder.” the CBI official said.

Article extracted from this publication >>  September 29, 1995