Talwandi Sabo, May 9
Giani Kewal Singh, former Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib and co-accused in a case of dowry death registered against his son Baljinder Singh and a relative Joginder Kaur, today surrendered in the court of Mr Kurnesh Kakkar, Judicial Magistrate (First Class).

Giani Kewal Singh perhaps is the first Sikh cleric to face trial in a case. The Supreme Court rejected anticipatory bail relating to dowry death plea of Giani Kewal Singh on April 15, 2002 following the death of his daughter-in-law, Sharnjit Kaur. Baljinder Singh married Sharnjit Kaur on January 21, 1996, but she allegedly committed suicide on May 18, 1997.

Baljinder Singh, son of Giani Kewal Singh, main accused in the case, surrendered before Subdivisional Judicial Magistrate, Harsh Mehta on March 7, 2002. Giani Kewal Singh came to the court today for the first time five years after the incident of death took place.

Mr Kakkar remanded Giani Kewal Singh in judicial custody. On the application moved by Giani Kewal Singh pleading that he should not be handcuffed while being taken to jail and he sought B-Class facilities in jail, Mr Kakkar ordered that Giani Kewal Singh should not be handcuffed and facilities to him should be given as per jail manual. The next date of hearing has already been fixed for May 18.

Giani Kewal Singh was taken to jail in an air-conditioned private car against the norms. Mr Avtar Singh Sidhu, President District Bar Association, said that VIP treatment to Giani Kewal Singh, an accused, was an insult to the law of the land. Those accompanying Giani Kewal Singh including a member of the SGPC, tried to stop The Tribune photographer from taking snaps of Giani Kewal Singh. The Giani tried to hide himself from the public and the photographer.