Two more Punjab Police Officers convicted for 1993 “fake encounter” Sikh murders

Two Punjab Police Officers were sentenced to life in prison for their roles in the “fake encounter” murders of two Sikh men in 1993.

Chanan Singh and Tarlok Singh were convicted today (6.09.22) for their roles in the murder of Balwinder Singh, Baljinder Singh Latu and Balwinder Singh. Balwinder Singh and Baljinder Singh Latu were abducted illegally by the officers in Amritsar whilst travelling on a bus with their parents, with no criminal reason behind their detainment.

At the time, the other Balwinder Singh was already being detained by Punjab Police. The officers fabricated a “fake encounter” incident which allowed them to claim they needed to shoot all three. Two other officers involved in the murders – Baldev Singh and Nirmal Singh – died of old age before they could be convicted for their roles in the murders. At the time Punjab Police were acting on behalf of the Indian state to strike fear into the Sikh community and attempt to eradicate any resistance to the state by killing as many Sikhs as they wanted. The issue, which was most prominent from 1984-1995, has been documented as the main part of the ongoing #SikhGenocide of India.

The news was broken by the Punjab Disappeared team who explained only the incredible persistence of Lakhbir Kaur, the mother of Balwinder Singh who was travelling with her young son when he was detained, saw the case against the officers get pursued. For eight years the officers avoided a summons based on Lakhbir Kaur’s complaints, and the case only went to trial in 2017, 24 years after the incident occurred. The Punjab Disappeared team played a key role in ensuring the case was followed through with due legal process, even after Lakhbir Kaur passed away in 2019.

The conviction follows last week’s sentencing of Police Officers Tarsem Lal and Kishan Singh for other Sikh targeted “fake encounter” murders. Both received life in another case pursued by the Punjab Disappeared team, headed by UK born Indian Supreme Court barrister Satnam Singh Bains. The team have helped convict several other officers for similar killings by offering free legal support for the families of victims of “fake encounters”.

Whilst the sentencing of such officers will be welcomed, many still feel the actions are too little too late to be viewed as justice for the murder victims. However, efforts to imprison officers involved in such killings by the Punjab Disappeared team continue.