Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Thursday dismissed as a “pack of lies” the allegations that the Bhagwant Mann Government had signed any file related to the premature release of convicts in the Jaswant Singh Khalra murder case. Presenting a detailed factual chronology, the AAP Punjab Media In-charge said the proposal for premature release was first sent during the Congress government, while the Bhagwant Mann Government has signed no such file.
He pointed out that since the case was investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the entire process falls under the jurisdiction of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and no proposal is pending either with the Punjab Government or the Governor. Baltej Pannu further said Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra’s, the wife of late Jaswant Singh Khalra, recent statement has exposed how the Akali Dal failed to fulfil its promise of securing justice for Jaswant Singh Khalra, and accused political opponents of spreading false propaganda to divert public attention from the truth.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “A few days ago, the film Sutlej was released. Within a few hours, it was removed from the OTT platform. Whatever has happened since then has been very interesting to watch. The entire incident pertains to a period when the Congress was in power and its real face was being exposed. Yet, within 48 hours, the BJP-led Central Government got the film removed from the OTT platform.”
He added, “After the film was removed, it started reaching people through different groups and social media platforms. Along with the film, another important thing started spreading rapidly, and that was the statement of Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra. Her statement has now reached people across social media and various channels.”
Baltej Pannu noted, “Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra stated that in 1996 they supported the Shiromani Akali Dal led by Parkash Singh Badal because they believed that once the Akali Dal formed the government, it would sincerely help in finding Jaswant Singh Khalra and ensuring justice. She revealed that promises had been made to constitute a ‘Truth Commission’ and bring the guilty officers to justice. However, after the government was formed in 1997, instead of prosecuting those responsible, many of those officers were rewarded with higher positions.”
He further said, “Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra also disclosed that she personally met Parkash Singh Badal after he became Chief Minister and urged him to fulfil the promise of tracing Jaswant Singh Khalra and bringing justice. According to her, she was told to ask for any chairmanship she wanted and raise her children instead of pursuing the issue. This statement is extremely significant because it exposes what actually happened after the promises made in 1996.”
Baltej Pannu asserted, “Today, three political parties stand exposed. During the Congress government, these incidents took place. The BJP government at the Centre removed the film from the OTT platform. Now, the Akali Dal has also come under serious scrutiny because Jaswant Singh Khalra himself was associated with the Akali Dal’s Human Rights Wing. Despite this, no meaningful support was extended to his family after the party came to power.”
He said, “The Akali Dal is already facing several serious questions. Since this morning, another false campaign has been launched through its own social media pages and by people associated with it. Unfortunately, many individuals who do not verify facts simply pick up such posts and circulate them further. Even more unfortunate is that some organisations claiming to be responsible media institutions also published these claims without verifying the facts or understanding the background of the matter.”
Baltej Pannu stated, “One of the principal convicts in the Jaswant Singh Khalra case was former DSP Jaspal Singh. Since morning, a false narrative has been spread claiming that the Punjab Government has moved a file seeking his premature release and that the file has been signed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and is presently lying with the Governor. I want to place the complete facts before you. Please record them because these are facts supported by official records and not imaginary stories.”
He added, “CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has always taken decisions transparently. Those who are now spreading lies are the same people who made promises in 1996 and then completely abandoned them after assuming power.”
Baltej Pannu said, “There were eight convicts in this case. Four of them have since died. The surviving convicts are Jaspal Singh, Satnam Singh, Surinder Singh and Jasbir Singh. Among them, Jaspal Singh was the senior-most officer as he was a DSP, while the others served under him.”
He said, “Jaspal Singh was convicted by the learned Sessions Court on November 18, 2005 under Sections 120-B, 364, 302 and 201 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The other accused, Satnam Singh, Surinder Singh and Jasbir Singh, were also convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Jaspal Singh was lodged in the Open Jail at Nabha, Satnam Singh and Surinder Singh were lodged in the District Jail at Barnala, while Jasbir Singh was lodged in the Central Jail at Amritsar.”
He further said, “This case was investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation. That is the most important legal aspect. Since it is a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case, the procedure governing premature release is different from ordinary criminal cases.”
Baltej Pannu pointed out, “Under Section 477 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, corresponding to Section 435 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the power to consider premature release in cases investigated by the CBI does not rest with the State Government. The State Government cannot independently order the premature release of such convicts. The competent authority is the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.”
He said, “Jaspal Singh submitted an application for premature release to the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2017. The Ministry of Home Affairs considered that application and rejected it in 2018.”
Baltej Pannu added, “After the Ministry of Home Affairs rejected the application, the matter also came before the Governor. Since the Ministry had already declined the request, the Governor could not have taken a different view. Accordingly, the application was rejected by the Governor as well in August 2018.”
He said, “Thereafter, in 2019, the Director General of Police forwarded another recommendation. Since this too related to a CBI case, the matter again had to be referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs. With the approval of the Hon’ble Governor, the proposal was forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs on April 1, 2019.”
The Punjab Media In-charge said, “Thereafter, the cases relating to the other surviving co-convicts, namely Satnam Singh, Surinder Singh and Jasbir Singh, also came up for consideration regarding premature release before the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Ministry of Home Affairs rejected those applications in March 2023.”
He further said, “The matter was referred once again to the Ministry of Home Affairs in October 2023. Since then, no application has been returned by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Punjab Government. The Punjab Government has received no proposal from the Ministry for consideration.”
Baltej Pannu categorically stated, “Those claiming that the Punjab Government or CM Bhagwant Singh Mann signed a file and that it is presently pending before the Governor are spreading absolute falsehoods. This is a blatant lie.”
He noted, “When no application has even been received by the Punjab Government from the Ministry of Home Affairs, how can any file be signed by the Chief Minister? If no application exists before the Punjab Government, how can any such file be sent to the Governor? The entire story being circulated is fabricated.”
Baltej Pannu asserted, “As I mentioned earlier, it is unfortunate that even organisations claiming to be responsible media institutions publish and broadcast these false claims without verifying the facts. Every responsible media organisation has an obligation to verify facts before publishing any report. Reports based on incorrect facts can invite legal consequences.”
He further said, “I also want to point out that this matter remained pending before the Hon’ble High Court between 2020 and 2022 for a considerable period. At present, Jaspal Singh, Satnam Singh and Jasbir Singh are out on parole or bail, while Surinder Singh remains in custody.”
Baltej Pannu said, “Despite these facts, a false narrative is being spread that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann signed a mercy or remission file for Jaspal Singh and that the file is pending before the Governor. This is entirely false and contrary to the official record.”
He added, “Through all of you, I want to convey a message to responsible media organisations that before publishing any news, they must place the verified facts before the public. Publishing reports based on false information is legally untenable.”
Baltej Pannu appealed, “I would also urge the Punjab Government to initiate legal action against those organisations and individuals who deliberately published and broadcast false reports in this matter. As a representative of the Aam Aadmi Party, I strongly urge the Government to examine the issue and proceed in accordance with law.”
He further appealed to the public, “I also request the people of Punjab not to believe baseless reports that have neither any factual foundation nor any supporting evidence. Many such stories are simply lifted from one social media platform and circulated without any verification.”
Baltej Pannu pointed out, “Certain social media pages associated with the Akali Dal continuously run an agenda based on falsehood every morning. They raise objections to everything because they have no facts to present. Their objective is merely to spread confusion.”
Referring once again to Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra’s statement, Pannu said, “The Akali Dal now has no answer to what Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra herself has revealed. She has clearly stated that in 1996 their entire group supported the Akali Dal believing that justice would be delivered. After the government was formed, instead of taking action, they were allegedly told to seek a chairmanship and forget about the issue.”
He added, “When one studies Punjab’s history, particularly the period from 1978 to 2015, the same names and the same faces repeatedly emerge in controversial roles. These people have done immense damage to Punjab and are now attempting to hide their own actions by spreading lies.”
Baltej Pannu said, “They forget that people today are aware of the facts. A great deal has already been documented in books. Now, when these events are also being portrayed through films, attempts are being made to prevent people from watching them. Even if a film is removed from one platform, it eventually reaches the public through other means. Truth cannot be suppressed.”
Responding to a question regarding allegations made by the Akali Dal that the Punjab Government had written to authorities, leading to the removal of the film Sutluj from the OTT platform, the AAP Punjab Media In-charge rejected the charge and said, “Such allegations are completely baseless. Those making these claims should place documentary evidence before the public instead of making false accusations. False propaganda cannot conceal historical facts or change the truth.”
He concluded, “The people of Punjab are fully aware of what actually happened. No amount of misinformation or politically motivated propaganda can erase the historical record. Truth ultimately prevails, and those who betrayed the promise of justice stand exposed before the people.”
FACT SHEET: Chronology of the Jaswant Singh Khalra Case and Premature Release Proceedings
- Eight persons were convicted in the Jaswant Singh Khalra murder case. Four have since died. The surviving convicts are Jaspal Singh, Satnam Singh, Surinder Singh and Jasbir Singh. Jaspal Singh was the senior-most officer, serving as a DSP.
- 18 November 2005: Jaspal Singh was convicted under Sections 120-B, 364, 302 and 201 read with Section 34 IPC and sentenced to life imprisonment. The other surviving accused were initially awarded lesser sentences by the Trial Court, but were later sentenced to life imprisonment by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
- Since the case was investigated by the CBI, the Punjab Government cannot take a final decision on premature release on its own. Under Section 477 of the BNSS (corresponding to Section 435 CrPC), the concurrence of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is mandatory before the State Government can consider any proposal for premature release.
- 2017: After completing the required period of custody, Jaspal Singh became eligible for consideration of premature release. His case was forwarded to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for concurrence.
- 2018: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs rejected Jaspal Singh’s request for premature release. Following the MHA’s decision, the Hon’ble Governor also rejected his premature release case on 30 August 2018.
- 1 April 2019: Following a reference from the DGP’s office seeking reconsideration, and with the approval of the Hon’ble Governor, the matter was again referred to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Subsequently, when Satnam Singh, Surinder Singh and Jasbir Singh became eligible for consideration of premature release, their cases were also sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for concurrence.
- March 2023: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs rejected the premature release proposals relating to Satnam Singh, Surinder Singh and Jasbir Singh.
- October 2023: The cases were referred once again to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. No concurrence has been received from the MHA till date.
- As no concurrence has been received from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the premature release cases have not yet been placed before the Hon’ble Governor for a final decision.
- Meanwhile, proceedings were pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. On 30 January 2023, the High Court directed that where premature release cases are not decided within the prescribed time, eligible convicts may be released on bail, subject to conditions, until a final decision is taken.
- Consequently, Jaspal Singh, Satnam Singh and Jasbir Singh are presently out on bail, while Surinder Singh remains in custody in connection with another case
