The Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, visited Jammu during his official tour and met the family of BSF jawan Jaswinder Singh, who allegedly died due to custodial torture while in the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Amritsar.
During the visit, the Jathedar listened to the family’s concerns and assured them that the entire Khalsa Panth stands united in their fight for justice. He expressed solidarity with the grieving family and promised continued support until accountability is ensured.
Demand for Strict Action Against Officials
Addressing a religious gathering in Mahlowal village in the RS Pura area of Jammu, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj urged the Jammu and Kashmir government and authorities to ensure justice for the deceased soldier’s family.
He alleged that Jaswinder Singh was subjected to severe torture while in NCB custody, adding that visible injury marks were found on the body, which the family claims serve as evidence of custodial violence. The Jathedar demanded that a criminal case be registered against the responsible NCB officials and that strict punishment be imposed if wrongdoing is proven.
He emphasized that even if any allegations existed against the jawan, legal procedures and courts should have handled the matter rather than resorting to violence.
Soldier Was on Leave During Arrest
According to statements shared during the visit, Jaswinder Singh was serving with the Border Security Force (BSF) on the Bangladesh border and had returned home on leave when he was taken into custody by the NCB.
Calling the incident deeply unfortunate, the Jathedar said it raises serious concerns when a soldier safeguarding national borders is allegedly not safe within the system meant to uphold the law.
Call for Community Unity
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj appealed to the Sikh community in Jammu to unite and raise their voice against injustice. He warned that failure to act in such cases could lead to similar incidents in the future.
He further stated that if strict action is not taken against the accused officials, the Khalsa Panth would intensify its protest and raise the issue at a larger level. The Jathedar also expressed disappointment that local political leaders had not yet strongly supported the family’s demand for justice.
Several Sikh community leaders and representatives of the DGPC Jammu were present during the visit.
