32 years on, Akal Takht former jathedar’s son seeks justice for his ‘custodial killing’ in Punjab and Haryana HC

CHANDIGARH: Over three decades after the alleged custodial killing of former acting jathedar of Akal Takht, Gurdev Singh Kaunke, his son has approached the Punjab and Haryana high court seeking the registration of a criminal case against those responsible.Taking cognisance of the petition, Justice Sanjay Vashisth has issued a notice to the Punjab Police, directing them to file a response by July 28.The plea, filed by 49-year-old Hari Singh Sekhon—son of the late Jathedar—alleged that Kaunke was kept in illegal detention, tortured, and ultimately killed in police custody by then Jagraon station house officer inspector Gurmeet Singh. According to the petition, Kaunke was taken into custody on Dec 25, 1992, and remained confined until his alleged death on Jan 2, 1993.At the time of his disappearance, Kaunke, then 43, was known for preaching Gurbani and held in high regard within the Sikh community. The petition recounts that he was first picked up by inspector Gurmeet Singh on Dec 20, 1992, but was released following intervention by community elders. He was detained again five days later, this time in the presence of nearly 200 villagers.Despite his detention, no formal arrest was made, nor was he presented before a magistrate.

He was allegedly held at the Jagraon police station and the CIA staff building, where he was severely tortured. Kaunke's wife, Gurmail Kaur, was reportedly allowed to visit him with food and clothes until Dec 28, after which she was denied entry.Sekhon, a minor at the time, claimed he accompanied his mother during these visits and saw his father with visible signs of torture. Another witness, Jagjit Singh, corroborated the account, stating he too saw Kaunke with injuries while in custody.In 1993, Gurmail Kaur filed a habeas corpus petition in the high court. Hari Chand was appointed as a warrant officer to investigate, but during his visit to the Jagraon police station, there was no trace of Kaunke.According to the petition, on Jan 2, 1993, inspector Gurmeet Singh sent a message to Sidwan Bet police station reporting Kaunke's "escape" from custody. An FIR was subsequently registered at Sidwan Bet."During the pendency of the habeas corpus petition, inspector Gurmeet Singh submitted an affidavit on Jan 14, 1993, denying Kaunke had ever been taken into custody or arrested," the petitioner submitted to the court.

"There was no mention of any arrest related to FIR No. 181, dated Dec 8, 1992, nor of any alleged escape following an encounter," the petition added.The petition also alleged that in a bid to intimidate the family, police later implicated Sekhon in a 1995 attempt-to-murder case, under FIR No. 133. He was later discharged by the court.It has also been informed that a govt-ordered inquiry was conducted by then ADGP (security), B P Tiwari. His report, based on numerous witness statements, concluded that Kaunke had been abducted by the SHO, kept in illegal custody, tortured, and never seen alive after Dec 28, 1992.Tiwari rejected the escape narrative and recommended registering a criminal case against the officers involved. However, the report was not approved by then director general of police Sarabdeep Singh.