During the court proceedings on Wednesday, Narayan Singh Chaura, accused in the alleged attack on former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, told his lawyer that Shiromani Gurudwara Management Committee (SGPC) chairman Harjinder Singh Dhami allegedly hugged him inside the Darbar Sahib premises. On December 4, Chaura’s lawyer Jaspal Singh Manjpur made the disclosure, accusing the SGPC of significant obstruction. CCTV footage related to the incident.
Chaura, who has been in police custody since December 4, has been remanded for three more days. The police informed the court that the SGPC has not provided the CCTV footage from December 2 to 4 despite several requests. They also formally requested the footage through the court.
Manjpur said, “Chaura told us that Dhami stopped him at the Darbar Sahib premises and hugged him. He told the approximate time and place of their meeting. Chaura and Dhami know each other, so we believe SGPC intercepted the footage. There is a fear of being erased.”
Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh supported this claim and said, “Dhami and Chaura knew each other. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dhami embraces Chaura, as Dhami has a good rapport with many ex-fighters.”
But Dhami has refused to recognize Chaura. Talking to the media, he said, “As SGPC president, many people approach me. I cannot confirm whether I met him or not.”
Meanwhile, on November 1, the police informed the court that the location was found near the Pakistani border at Khemkaran in Chaura. The opposition claimed that Chaura was in the area to participate in a program and had evidence to confirm it.
Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leader Vikram Singh Majithia has opened up about the alleged links between Chaura and senior officials. He recently highlighted the footage of Chaura’s conversation with ADCP Harpal Singh before the alleged attack which raised more suspicions surrounding the incident.