Chandigarh: The Punjab Legislative Assembly’s Select Committee investigating the 1986 Nakodar police firing case continued its proceedings on Wednesday, recording statements from two retired senior bureaucrats who held key administrative positions during that period.
Committee chairman Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said former Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh and retired IAS officer Darbara Singh Guru appeared before the panel to assist in reconstructing events linked to the decades-old case. With many official records either unavailable or incomplete due to the passage of time, the committee has been relying on testimonies from officials who were directly associated with the administration at the time.
According to Nijjar, both former officers cooperated fully with the inquiry and responded in detail to questions posed by committee members. Their statements are expected to help the panel gain a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
During the 1986 firing episode, Darbara Singh Guru was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar. He later went on to hold the position of Principal Secretary to former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
The committee is examining all aspects of the Nakodar tragedy, in which four Sikh youths were killed after police opened fire on protesters demonstrating against an alleged act of sacrilege involving the Guru Granth Sahib. Nijjar said the panel aims to complete its findings and submit a comprehensive report once all relevant information has been collected.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has intensified efforts to advance investigations into sacrilege-related cases that have remained unresolved for years. A fresh Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to accelerate inquiries connected to the 2015 sacrilege incidents.
The newly formed SIT is headed by Harjit Singh, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Bathinda Range. Other members include Malerkotla Senior Superintendent of Police Gurmeet Singh, Amritsar Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police Harpal Singh, and Sangrur Rural Deputy Superintendent of Police Daljit Singh.
Officials have been directed to expedite pending investigations and ensure quicker progress in the cases. The developments come amid increased scrutiny of individuals linked to the sacrilege and firing incidents.
In recent weeks, investigators have also recorded statements from several key figures. Former Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh was questioned in connection with the Behbal Kalan firing case, while inquiries have been initiated with IAS officer Gagandeep Singh, who was posted during the Bargari sacrilege episode, and BJP leader Vijay Sampla.
The latest round of questioning signals a renewed push by authorities to revisit long-pending cases and establish accountability through a more comprehensive investigation process.
