1999 Report Reveals Extrajudicial Killing of Acting Jathedar Akal Takht

On 22 Dec, the Panjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO) made public an official report on the probe conducted over the 1992 forced disappearance and extrajudicial killing of Gurdev Singh Kaunke. Kaunke was then the Sarbat Khalsa-appointed acting Akal Takht Jathedar, the most visible Sikh globally. On 7 Jun 1998, the Panjab Director General of Police’s office initiated an inquiry into the allegations. The report by Additional Director General Police BP Tiwari questioned the police claims about Kaunke’s arrest and cast doubts on the police version of his alleged escape from custody. The report, submitted on 27 Jul 1999, recommends, ‘It would be appropriate to register a case against Station Head Officer Gurmeet Singh for keeping Gurdev Singh Kaunke in illegal detention and falsification of records. The role of other officials should also be probed.’ After being arrested and released twice earlier, on 25 Dec 1992, the police arrested Kaunke in the presence of 200 villagers. In police records, however, Kaunke’s arrest was recorded on 2 Jan 1993, in connection with the murder of a youth from his village. On the same day, the police alleged Kaunke had absconded from police custody. Senior lawyer RS Bains called upon the Akal Takht to seek an inquiry into their former Jathedar’s murder. PHRO activist Sarbjit Singh Verka sent a copy of the report to the Akal Takht. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has now asked the SGPC to get a legal opinion on the report and seek action against the guilty police officials. The question still remains whether the Akal Takht will hold SAD accountable, as the report was suppressed during their regime. Subsequently, Tiwari’s character assassination and later acquittal, the dismissal of the case hearing by Punjab Human Rights Commission and the role of lawyers remain unanswered too.