Punjab and Haryana High Court Grants Interim Bail to Incarcerated Farmer Activist
The Punjab and Haryana High Court ended a tense ten-day wait on Monday. It granted interim bail to Shagandeep Singh, a farmer activist currently in jail. This decision allows him to perform the last rites for his mother, Gurmail Kaur.
Release and Funeral Arrangements
Shagandeep Singh is expected to walk out of Bathinda jail on Tuesday. The cremation ceremony for his mother is scheduled to take place on Wednesday. His mother passed away on January 10, but her body had been kept at the civil hospital in Rampura Phool throughout the delay.
Protests and Demands by BKU Ekta Ugrahan
During this period, activists from the BKU Ekta Ugrahan union staged continuous protests in Bathinda. They had been demanding temporary parole for Shagandeep Singh since his mother's death. The union's secretary, Shingara Singh Mann, criticized the state government. He accused it of showing an anti-farmer face by not approaching the court for interim relief.
Background of the Case and Arrest
Shagandeep Singh's legal troubles stem from an incident on January 20, 2025. BKU Ekta Ugrahan activists clashed with police in Rampura. They were protesting to demand the reinstatement of teachers at Adarsh School in Chaoke village. Several police officers and farm activists sustained injuries during the clash.
Following this, many activists, including Shagandeep Singh from Jeond village, faced serious charges. These charges included attempt to murder. Shagandeep Singh and another activist, Baldev Singh, were arrested on April 5. Both have been in jail for over nine months.
Legal Proceedings and Court Decisions
A sessions court previously rejected their bail application. Their petition for regular bail is still under consideration at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. However, the high court's interim bail order on Monday provides temporary relief for Shagandeep Singh to attend his mother's funeral.
Shingara Singh Mann expressed relief at the court's decision. He confirmed that Shagandeep Singh is expected to be released on Tuesday. The cremation will then proceed on Wednesday, bringing a somber closure to this difficult chapter for the family.
