After Akal Takht intervention, Ludhiana police register FIRs in brutal assault case on Sikh cab driver
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj says harassment of Sikh youth in Punjab is unacceptable
PTC Web Desk: Following intervention from Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Ludhiana police have registered two FIRs in connection with the alleged brutal assault of a Sikh cab driver, Ranjodh Singh (28). The incident has sparked outrage in the city.
According to reports, the incident occurred on January 26, when Singh’s car collided with another vehicle near Pavilion Mall. The occupants of the other vehicle reportedly surrounded him, assaulted him, and made derogatory remarks about Sikhism after noticing a poster of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale on Singh’s vehicle.
Following the altercation, the cab driver alleged that he was taken by the police to Kailash Nagar police post, where he was “brutally beaten, tortured and assaulted.” He claimed that his nail was plucked with a plier, and although he was briefly taken to the Civil Hospital after bleeding, he was returned to the police post without a medical check-up. Later, he was transferred to Division Number 8 police station, where he was kept in lock-up without a blanket and forced to sign certain papers before being released the next morning.
Following the protests and the strict notice from the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the police took immediate action. Two FIRs were registered at Division Number 8 police station based on Singh’s complaint:
Three police officials — Head constable Lovepreet Singh, Home Guard Deepak Sharma and another head constable Lovepreet Singh, along with an accomplice, Rohit, were booked for allegedly assaulting the victim inside the Kailash Nagar police post. They were charged under BNS Sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), and 351(3) (criminal intimidation).
Two occupants of the other vehicle, Rajiv Gupta (Gandhi Nagar) and Ajay Sharma (Vrindavan Road), were booked for allegedly passing derogatory remarks on the complainant’s religion and assaulting him. They were charged under BNS Sections 298 (insulting religion), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 126(2) (wrongful restraint).
Additional DCP-3 Kanwalpreet Singh confirmed that two FIRs were registered following the complainant’s statement, and further action will be taken accordingly.
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, emphasised that harassment of Sikh youth in Punjab was unacceptable. He called for strict action against anyone showing contempt for religion and warned that law enforcement officials must uphold the law, as failure to do so erodes public trust in justice.