Senior Congress leader and MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has strongly criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for failing to deliver justice in the 2015 sacrilege and Behbal Kalan police firing cases.
Khaira expressed deep disappointment, saying that even after three years in power, the Mann government has failed to act on its promises of justice and accountability. He called the government’s approach a “complete failure” and accused it of deliberately delaying justice in emotionally sensitive cases.
His remarks come after the Supreme Court recently rejected the Punjab government’s plea to shift the trial of the Behbal Kalan firing case from Faridkot to Chandigarh. The court ruled that the trial must continue in Faridkot, where most of the 98 witnesses live. Khaira called the court’s decision a “tight slap” to the state government and claimed the move to shift the trial was just another delay tactic.
The Behbal Kalan firing took place on October 14, 2015, during protests against the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib at Bargari. Police opened fire on protesters, killing two Sikhs and injuring others. An FIR was registered a week later, but even after nearly ten years, the victims’ families are still waiting for justice.
Khaira also criticized the performance of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by IGP Naunihal Singh. He pointed out that SP (Investigation) Sandeep Kumar Wadhera, who is supposed to be handling the case in Faridkot, has not been present there. “This isn’t just carelessness—it shows the government’s lack of seriousness,” he said.
Khaira highlighted the pain of families like that of Sadhu Singh, whose son Gurjeet Singh was one of the victims. He accused the Chief Minister of letting down the Sikh community and said the cases are deeply connected to Sikh religious emotions. “This government’s inaction is a betrayal of the people’s trust,” he said.
Calling for immediate action, Khaira demanded that the Chief Minister apologize publicly to the victims’ families and ensure a speedy trial, as directed by the Supreme Court.
“The people of Punjab are watching. They want justice, not excuses. If CM Mann can’t fulfill his promises, he has no moral right to remain in office,” Khaira said.
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