The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the police firing incidents in the wake of the Bargari sacrilege case, has summoned the Badal father-son duo and actor Akshay Kumar for questioning in connection with the investigation next week.

Former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has been asked to appear on November 16, former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on November 19 and Kumar has been summoned on November 21 at the Circuit House in Amritsar. The orders were issued separately for the three on behalf of SIT, by IPG (OCCU) Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh. Singh said the summons relate to “investigation of cases originating from the various incidents of sacrilege in the year 2015 {FIR No. 129, dated 07.08.2018 under Section 307, 323, 341, 148, 149 IPC and 27 Arms Act PS City Kotkapura (District Faridkot)}. The summons has been issued under the Section 160 of CrPC, requiring attendance at investigation, relating to the Bargari sacrilege case and the Behbal Kalan & Kotkapura police firing incidents

The SIT had earlier examined ADGP Jitendra Jain, then IG Bathinda; IGP Paramraj Singh Umaranangal, then Commissioner Ludhiana; IGP Amar Singh Chahal, then DIG Ferozepur Range; MS Jaggi, then DC Faridkot; SS Mann, then SSP Faridkot; VK Syal, then SDM Faridkot and Mantar Singh Brar, then Kotkapura MLA. The development comes within two days of questioning of former Kotkapura Akali MLA Mantar Singh Brar. He had reportedly told the SIT that he spoke to senior Badal on deteriorating situation at Kotkapura. He insisted in his statement that he the CM did not allow use of force.

Former CM Parkash Singh Badal had not appeared before the Commission saying his party had already rejected it. It remains to be seen if he will appear before the SIT. It is also interesting that the SIT will examine the former CM and Deputy CM before the then DGP Sumedh Singh Saini. The ex-DGP had also not appeared before the Commission. He chose to sent a written reply later after submission of the first report of the Commission.