Kaunke was `tortured to death’ by police

"A team specially appointed by the Committee has been conducting investigations to determine the true facts of the case. Investigation conducted by this team conclusively proves inhuman torture of Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke, first at the Sadar police station of Jagraon and then at the CIA interrogation centre, from December 25, 1992 to January 1, 1993. The team has also acquired irrefutable evidence to establish that the former Jathedar of the Akal Takht was killed under torture," the committee has alleged in a signed statement released to the press today.

Darshan Singh, who, members of the committee claimed is a former police constable from Jagraon and "a key witness in the case", was also present at the press conference. Singh, however, declined to elaborate further.

Committee convenor, Kumar said, "Darshan Singh, at this moment, will not answer any questions, since he is vulnerable and faces a security threat." "We suspect an unnatural killing. A murder. Here’s this man who says he saw Kaunke’s body in the police station, isn’t that enough," said Justice (retd) Kuldip Singh.

The committee, it was stated, would meet Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to "demand registration of the case under relevant sections of the IPC. We will also insist that the government of Punjab hand over the investigation of the case to the CBI." "When Badal was not the CM, he espoused this cause so vigorously. Now that he’s the CM let us see what he does," Justice Kuldip Singh commented.

The committee also demanded that key witnesses in the case and members of their families be provided security by the CRPF. The list of witnesses, it was added, would be submitted to Badal.