Suspense over Navjot Sidhu’s launch at this time continues; supporters upbeat, govt, jail authorities mum
Aman Sood
Patiala, January 26
At the same time as there isn’t any particular phrase over Navjot Sidhu’s untimely launch from jail on Republic Day, his supporters are upbeat and able to welcome him again.
Whereas no official has confirmed it, his train machines have been moved out of jail on Wednesday.
The state authorities and the jail authorities are silent on the difficulty, at the same time as supporters and members of the family of Sidhu are set to welcome the previous Punjab Congress chief.
Sidhu was convicted in a 1988 street rage case and surrendered within the court docket on Could 20, 2022.
Extremely positioned sources stated the file of the convicts to be launched on Republic Day had reached the jail authorities. The train machines utilized by Sidhu within the jail have been additionally moved out on Wednesday, a day earlier than his anticipated launch, they added.
Regardless of uncertainty prevailing over the untimely launch of Sidhu from the Patiala jail, the place he’s serving a one-year sentence, his supporters gathered at his Yadavindra Enclave ancestral home and in addition put up posters and banners to welcome him.
“I can not touch upon the technicalities however Sidhu ought to meet you all tomorrow exterior the jail,” senior counsel HPS Verma, who represented Sidhu in court docket, informed The Tribune on Wednesday night.
In the meantime, individuals have been requested to assemble exterior the Patiala jail on January 26 to welcome Sidhu. “We will likely be there at midday. In case the federal government doesn’t launch our chief, we’ll burn an effigy of the state authorities,” stated Sidhu loyalist Mansimrat Singh Riar.
Nonetheless, there isn’t any official phrase on Sidhu’s launch from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who holds the Jails portfolio. Even jail officers are reluctant to remark. “Such as you, even I’ve no clue on Sidhu’s launch. I can not remark until I obtain the orders,” Patiala Jail Superintendent Manjit Singh Tiwana informed The Tribune.
On the question about shifting Sidhu’s train gear out of the jail, Tiwana stated it was shifted upfront as a result of if Sidhu is launched, they don’t need the gear to occupy house within the jail.
In the meantime, the Municipal Company eliminated the hoardings put up by the Sidhu supporters from throughout town.
“All unlawful hoardings carrying the photographs of AAP leaders dot town whereas a number of banners put up by us have been eliminated early this morning,” stated Narinder Pal Lalli, former district Congress chief.
It’s being speculated that Sidhu may very well be among the many 50 prisoners who’re prone to be given particular remission beneath the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Sidhu has accomplished 68 per cent of his sentence with out a parole or furlough.