Justice after three decades: Families recall torture, loss, and long fight for truth

After the court pronounced its verdict, family members spoke to The Indian Express, sharing harrowing memories and calling the judgment “justice after a long and painful battle.”

‘Even today, I shiver when I look at the torture marks’

Chhinder Kaur, wife of Balkar Singh, recounted how both she and her mother-in-law were picked up by the police, subjected to third-degree torture and electric shocks.

“Even today, I shiver when I look at the marks,” she said. “They picked us up and said Balkar Singh must be produced at the police station.”

“My mother-in-law, Taro Kaur, and I were tortured for two days while my four small children cried alone at home,” she added.

Eventually, her husband surrendered at the police station on the advice of relatives and the village panchayat. “Days later, we found out he had been killed in an encounter.”

Afterwards, she moved to her parental home in Harike, but the situation remained dire.

“It was hard to survive with four children. We ended up living in a government hospital where I worked in people’s homes and raised my children. Today, we have received justice. I now urge the government to support us in some way.”

‘My father and uncle were taken; we even sold land to save them’

Ranjit Kaur, wife of Sarabjit Singh from Hansa Wala village, and their son Jagjit Singh said that Jagjit was just one-and-a-half years old when his father was taken by Inspector Suba Singh and his team.

“My uncle Satpal Singh was also picked up while returning from the fields. When they learned he was from the same family, they released him after our elders paid ₹30,000 to Inspector Suba Singh,” Jagjit said.

“To save my father, our family sold land and struck a deal worth nearly ₹1 lakh with the officer. But by then, they had already killed him.”

Jagjit further revealed that the family’s remaining land was gradually sold off to fund legal battles.
“The little land that remained was acquired by GVK Thermal Plant in Goindwal Sahib. That money was used to get my sister married and build a house. Today, I earn a living by working in a factory.”

‘They offered ₹10 lakh to settle the case, but I refused’

Nindar Kaur, wife of SPO Chhinder Singh, said she gave birth to their son two months after her husband was killed.
“I raised my son by washing dishes and transplanting paddy,” she said.

“SSP Bhupinder Singh offered ₹10 lakh for an out-of-court settlement. We were told, ‘Even if we get punished, we’ll come back after serving the sentence — nothing will come of your efforts.’ They asked us to take the money and withdraw the case. But I refused. I only wanted justice.”

‘That dark period crushed us, but we never gave up’

Balbir Kaur, wife of Desa Singh from Raniwala village, recalled: “I faced severe mental torture during that black era. I worked as a daily wager, collecting garbage, doing odd jobs — anything to raise my children and keep fighting this case.”

“Today, the court has brought the truth to light. That brings me peace.”

Families seek jobs, pensions, and recognition from government

The families now demand official recognition of their loved ones’ innocence and support from the government.
“Now that it’s proven they were innocent, the government should compensate us the way those officers were rewarded with promotions and pay hikes,” they said.

“Our family members too deserved such progression. Their children should now be given government jobs and the widows should receive pensions.”

“We have received justice,” said Narinder Kaur, “but it came after a 30-year-long battle full of patience and courage. Now the government must fulfill its responsibility.”