Mohali Mayor, Former Sarpanch Cleared in 14-Year-Old Firing Case
In a significant verdict, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Mohali on Saturday acquitted Mohali Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu and former village sarpanch Kulwant Singh in the 2010 Baliyali village firing case. The court also acquitted Jatinder Singh, bringing an end to a protracted legal battle that lasted nearly 14 years.
The court, however, held Dilbar Singh guilty, converting the charge against him from Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code to Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). The final sentence in his case will be pronounced on December 24.
Details of the Violent Clash and Political Rivalry
The incident traces back to December 18, 2010, when a violent clash erupted in Baliyali village near Mohali. The conflict was allegedly triggered by deep-seated political rivalry and long-standing family and property disputes. It involved members of an extended family living on the same street but aligned with opposing political parties—the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress.
According to the prosecution's case, the clash began around 9:30 pm when Jatinder Singh, son of then-sarpanch Kulwant Singh, allegedly abused and assaulted Gurpreet Singh and his father over a parking issue near Kulwant Singh’s house. The altercation quickly escalated into an exchange of gunfire.
The firing resulted in the tragic death of Rattan Singh, a senior SAD activist, who sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the skull and died on the spot. Several others, including Kulwinder Kaur, Harjinder Singh, Harpreet Singh, Amrik Singh, Gurpreet Singh, and Dilbar Singh, suffered bullet injuries during the violent episode.
Legal Proceedings and Court's Verdict
Following a complaint by Harjinder Singh, the son of the deceased, the Balongi police registered a First Information Report (FIR). The charges invoked were severe, including Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, along with relevant sections of the Arms Act.
The initial accused named in the FIR included Congress MLA and former minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, his brother Amarjit Singh Sidhu (now Mayor), Kulwant Singh, Dilbar Singh, and Jatinder Singh. In 2012, the CBI took over the investigation, probing allegations of conspiracy and political influence. During the probe, investigators recovered .12 bore double-barrel rifles and several cartridges. Dilbar Singh was arrested five days after the incident.
Advocates Seerat Pal Singh Waraich, Narinderpal Singh Waraich, and Sarabjit Singh, representing the acquitted individuals, stated that the court examined the evidence thoroughly before clearing Mayor Sidhu and Kulwant Singh. During the trial, Dilbar Singh had claimed self-defence, alleging that the other side attacked first, which led to retaliatory firing.
In addition to Dilbar Singh's conviction, the court held seven members from the opposite side guilty under Sections 148 and 149 of the IPC (pertaining to rioting) and imposed fines on them.
This verdict closes a chapter on one of Mohali's most politically sensitive and long-running criminal cases. All attention now turns to December 24, when the CBI court will announce the quantum of sentence for Dilbar Singh.
