Chandigarh | Updated: July 16, 2026
The Special Investigation Team probing the Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura sacrilege-related firing cases has summoned Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal for questioning.
Badal, a former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, has been asked to appear before the inquiry officials on Monday.
Government sources said the development came after BJP leader Vijay Sampla gave his statement to the SIT.
According to sources, Sampla denied having signed a representation submitted to the Punjab Governor along with Sukhbir Badal in connection with the sacrilege incidents.
His statement is understood to have prompted the SIT to summon Sukhbir Badal for further questioning.
Investigators are expected to seek clarification from Badal regarding the circumstances surrounding the representation.
However, Sampla told the media after his questioning last week that he had asked police to show him the original copy of the memorandum so that he could confirm or deny his signature.
Sources said the SIT is also examining the sequence of events that led to police action against protesters in October 2015.
Former Akali Dal MLA Mantar Singh Brar had earlier reportedly told the SIT that he had spoken to the then Chief Minister, Home Minister and Director General of Police before the crackdown on protesters was carried out.
Sources further said the Officer on Special Duty to then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has also confirmed to the SIT that the order to remove protesters was given during the night.
This detail is considered significant as investigators are trying to establish who authorised the use of force and when the decision was taken.
The Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura firing incidents took place in October 2015 during protests over incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in Faridkot district.
Two protesters were killed in police firing at Behbal Kalan, while several others were injured.
The SIT is continuing its probe into the circumstances that led to the police action and the decisions taken by officials and political leaders at that time.
