Bhaniarewala Guilty In Court Of Law

[singh598]

[Azaad]

The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate AK Jain today held Baba Piara Singh Bhaniarawala and seven others guilty in two cases registered against them for hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.

Two FIRs (No 49 and 61) were registered against the controversial dera head and his 15 followers by Punjab's Ropar police at the Morinda police station in 2001.

The Baba and his followers had burnt copies of Guru Granth Sahib in various parts of Punjab, which led to communal tension. The Baba's dera in Nurpur Bedi was raided, a ‘Granth’ brought out by him banned and several cases registered against him.

Later, on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the cases against Bhaniarawala and his followers were shifted to Ambala.

Those held guilty today were Harjit Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Surmukh Singh, Surjit Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Ashok Kumar and Rajinder Singh.

Balwinder, Pritam, Sadhu, Karnail and Satnam, were acquitted for want of evidence. Two others named in the FIR died during the trial. The court will pronounce the quantum of punishment on May 13.

Baba Bhaniarawala arrived at the courts complex amid tight secutity. He was escorted by 25 police personnel. Ambala Superintendent of Police Vinod Kaushik said the Baba was yet to be taken into custody.

In May 2003, a sessions court had acquitted the Baba and two others in a case registered against them at the Sirhind police station on September 30, 2001, for lack of proof.

He was charged with setting ablaze a gurdwara in Tarkhan Majra village. In 2009, the Baba was acquitted in a case registered under the Arms Act.

He and his 23 followers were granted relief in another case of alleged sacrilege two months ago.