In a major decision announced today by a double bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, regarding the case of ex-SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur’s daughter, Harpreet Kaur, the court acquitted her, along with Paramjit Singh Raipur (SGPC member), Dalwinder Kaur Dhesi (mother of UK MP Tanmanjeet Dhesi) and Bibi’s Personal Security Officer, Nishan Singh.
After the sudden death of Harpreet Kaur in 2000, the Indian Government’s lead investigative agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), started a case against Bibi Jagir Kaur and six others. Bibi Jagir Kaur, who had been elected in 1999 as the first ever female President of the Sikh mini-Parliament, SGPC, claimed innocence. In 2012, when she was the only female cabinet minister in the Punjab Government, Bibi and the aforementioned three were acquitted of the murder charge, but were convicted for 5 years for kidnap and forced abortion, whereas the other three accused (driver, maid and assistant) were acquitted from all charges. After the Judge of the Special CBI Court in Patiala had pronounced his judgement, it was quickly challenged by Bibi with an appeal in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which was heard this year.
While making their judgement, the Double Bench stated, “All appeals filed by the convicted accused are allowed. They are acquitted of all charges. The judgement of the trial court is set aside. Appeals filed by the CBI and complainant are dismissed.”
Bibi Jagir Kaur, a school teacher in her past, said, “After the passing away of my late husband, the death of my eldest daughter, Harpreet, was the most tragic time for me personally. However, my political opponents did not even spare me at such a sensitive time, so that I may grieve properly. These dirty games, unfortunately so common in Indian politics, may have destroyed my political career, but I’m just glad that after 18 long years, I have received justice by being acquitted from this politically motivated case. I would like to thank all of my family, friends and supporters, who prayed for my wellbeing. May Waheguru bless them all”.
