Who is Dharam Singh and his ‘role’ in attack on Sukhbir Badal
The Amritsar police have been raiding the house of the 75-year-old to figure out his role.
3 min read
The moment Narain Singh Chaura took out a pistol, Jasbir Singh reacted instantly. He turned slightly, reached for Chaura’s weapon, and pushed him back, diverting the bullet away from Sukhbir Singh Badal. (PTI/ Screengrab)Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia on Wednesday accused the Punjab Police of colluding in the attack on party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. Majithia demanded the police clarify their role and take responsibility for the investigation, alleging negligence and bias in handling the case.
Addressing a press conference, Majithia released CCTV footage from the Sri Darbar Sahib complex, showing Narain Singh Chaura, the accused in the alleged attack, accompanied by 75-year-old Dharam Singh and another unidentified man. Dharam Singh, who went underground following the December 2 incident, has become a key figure of suspicion due to his presence with Chaura and subsequent disappearance. The Amritsar Police have since been conducting raids to locate him.
Majithia alleged that the police have downplayed the seriousness of the attack in the FIR by framing it as a lone-wolf operation. He criticised the FIR for failing to mention that Sukhbir Badal narrowly escaped harm when Chaura’s shot struck the wall of the Darshani Deodi in the Sri Darbar Sahib complex. He further claimed that the FIR ignored how the quick action of Badal’s security personnel averted a tragedy.
Majithia also questioned the integrity of Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, alleging that Bhullar had prior knowledge of Chaura’s background from his tenure as Mohali SSP in 2013. Majithia claimed that during Chaura’s recce of the Darbar Sahib, Superintendent of Police Harpal Randhawa escorted him rather than taking any action. He demanded Randhawa’s arrest and interrogation, asserting that only this could reveal the truth.
The SAD leader also called for additional sections related to terrorism and religious sentiments to be included in the FIR. He demanded that Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav take direct charge of the investigation or delegate it to an experienced officer like Prabodh Kumar, known for credible investigations.
Who is Dharam Singh?
Dharam Singh’s role has come under scrutiny due to his association with Chaura. A resident of Ekalgadda village in Tarn Taran, with ancestral ties to Jaspal village in Amritsar, Dharam Singh was present at the Darbar Sahib during the 1984 army action. Former SAD MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha stated that Dharam Singh was arrested during Operation Bluestar and detained in Jodhpur jail until 1989. “At that time, he had no affiliations, but after his release, he became associated with certain groups and was later arrested in connection with weapon recoveries,” said Valtoha.
Balwinder Singh Jerhuwal, who advocates for compensation for Jodhpur jail detainees, added that Dharam Singh had received compensation from the Captain Amarinder Singh government for his illegal detention. Dharam Singh’s wife and son currently live in the US, while his disappearance has raised suspicion about his involvement in Chaura’s actions.
Majithia alleged that Dharam Singh’s absence is a critical clue that the police are neglecting, further compromising the investigation. He called for transparency and accountability from the Punjab Police in resolving the case.
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