Chandigarh: Sikh Political Prisoner Bhai Wariam Singh, 70, was released today on permanent basis. He was undergoing imprisonment for life in Bans-Bareli Jail in Uttar Pradesh (UP). His arrest dates back to 1990 and he was convicted under TADA. He is granted premature release.
His case for premature release was cleared by the UP government but his final release from the prison was subject to the clearance by the Central government of India. His release by cleared by the government of India on October 13, 2015.
He was released from the jail today at around 11 am.
Punjab Government had no role in release of Bhai Wariam Singh:
Punjab government has pro-actively been claiming the credit for release of Bhai Wariam Singh. Dr. Daljeet Cheema, senior Badal Dal leader and Punjab minister, yesterday met Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa in DMC hospital and tired to send out an impression that the Punjab government had secured the release of Bhai Wariam Singh.
Advo. Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, who maintains the list Sikh political prisoners, said that it was the UP and the Central government who have cleared the release of Bhai Wariam Singh and the Punjab government had nothing to do with it.
Advo. Manjhpur appreciated the initiative of Akhilesh Yadav led UP government for recommending release of Bhai Wariam Singh. He said that the Centre should continue with the line adopted in Bhai Wariam Singh’s case and other eligible Sikh political prisoners should also be granted premature release without any undue delay.