Chandigarh, July 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the 2015 Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura sacrilege-related firing cases has summoned Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to appear before investigators on Monday as the probe enters a crucial phase.
According to government sources, the summons follows the statement of senior BJP leader Vijay Sampla, who reportedly told the SIT that he had not confirmed signing a memorandum submitted to the Punjab Governor along with Sukhbir Badal in connection with the sacrilege incidents.
Sources said Sampla’s deposition prompted investigators to seek further clarification from Sukhbir Badal regarding the circumstances under which the representation was prepared and submitted.
However, speaking to the media after his appearance before the SIT last week, Sampla maintained that he had asked the investigators to produce the original copy of the memorandum before he could conclusively verify whether the signature appearing on it was his.
Probe Examining Chain of Events
Investigators are also scrutinising the sequence of events leading to the police action against protesters during the agitation that followed the sacrilege incidents in October 2015.
Sources familiar with the investigation said former Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Mantar Singh Brar informed the SIT that he had spoken to the then Chief Minister, the Home Minister and the Director General of Police before the police crackdown on protesters.
The SIT has also recorded the statement of the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who reportedly stated that the decision to remove the protesters was taken during the night. Investigators are examining this aspect closely to establish the chain of command, identify who authorised the operation and determine the timeline of the decision-making process.
The investigation is being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Harjit Singh, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Bathinda Range). The team also comprises Satinder Singh, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), and Swarandeep Singh, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), who are overseeing the ongoing probe into the Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura firing cases.
Background
The Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura firing incidents occurred in October 2015 amid widespread protests over incidents of sacrilege involving the Guru Granth Sahib in Punjab’s Faridkot district.
Police opened fire on protesters at Behbal Kalan, resulting in the deaths of two demonstrators and injuries to several others. The incidents triggered a major political controversy and have remained the subject of multiple investigations and legal proceedings over the past decade.
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