Kikkar Singh, a crucial witness in the 1995 abduction and murder of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, recounted his harrowing experience at the Kang police station. Singh, 53, described how he fed Khalra, who was severely beaten and unable to feed himself due to the extensive injuries he sustained from police torture. Initially, Singh testified that he had seen Khalra in police custody, but later retracted his statement, fearing for his family’s safety after his brother was detained by the Punjab Police and falsely implicated in criminal cases.
The biopic “Satluj,” featuring actor Diljit Dosanjh and focused on Khalra’s life, has recently been banned by the Government of India and removed from streaming platforms. Khalra was known for his investigation into numerous alleged extrajudicial killings carried out by the Punjab Police during the insurgency, which subsequently led to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry and the conviction of several police officials.
Despite rumors regarding his disappearance or death, Kikkar Singh currently resides in Ludhiana. He is originally from Jaura village in the Tarn Taran district and was also detained at the Kang police station on the same day Khalra was unlawfully held there, October 24, 1995.
Khalra had been abducted from Amritsar on September 6, 1995, and after enduring more than 50 days of alleged torture in custody, he was killed at the Jhabal police station on October 27, 1995. His remains were subsequently disposed of in the Sutlej River.
Kikkar Singh initially provided the CBI with a detailed account of witnessing Khalra in custody, observing the signs of his torture, and assisting him with food. His detention was later validated by a judicial inquiry, but he eventually recanted due to pressure from law enforcement officials who were allegedly threatening him and his family.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Kikkar Singh expressed that he had no option but to withdraw his statements, citing fears for both his own life and that of his loved ones.
He recounted being detained by the Tarn Taran Police on September 4, 1995, in connection with a land dispute. After being transferred to Jhabal police station, he briefly saw Khalra upon his arrival on September 6, although he did not know who he was at the time. Singh was later re-arrested by the Tarn Taran Police on October 14 and met Khalra again in the Kang police station lock-up on October 24, just days before Khalra’s murder.
On that occasion, Singh remembered Khalra being brought to his lock-up, where Khalra introduced himself and mentioned his residence. He described Khalra’s dire condition, stating that he was too injured to feed himself. Singh fed him one and a half rotis, as Khalra was unable to eat more. Khalra explained his predicament, indicating that they were at the mercy of their captors.
According to Singh, Khalra was taken away from the Kang police station on the same day, and he remained there for an additional three days. He noted that a directive had been issued for Khalra’s transfer due to his deteriorating state, as he was too weak to walk and required assistance to be moved.
The film inaccurately depicts a fellow inmate, referred to as Kehar Singh, who is shown as murdered while in custody with Khalra. Singh clarified that he had not been approached by the filmmakers and is very much alive.
He further elaborated on the coercion he faced from the police, stating that he was charged in multiple cases, including an attempted murder allegation, and that his family was subjected to harassment. His brother’s detention and the threats against his family led him to retract his earlier testimony, which he had initially given under judicial scrutiny. Singh also shared a disturbing incident where armed individuals attempted to abduct him outside of a court in Amritsar during the ongoing investigation.
Kikkar Singh highlighted the pressure he faced from law enforcement to implicate his father and relatives in fabricated cases, which included police raids on his home conducted by officers involved in Khalra’s case, including a DSP who was later convicted.
He expressed confusion over why there is a belief that he has gone into hiding or passed away, asserting his continued existence and resolve.
Khalra, who was 42 at the time of his death, was a vocal critic of the Punjab Police’s alleged extrajudicial killings of Sikh youths during the conflict. His investigative work into the cremation of these individuals as unclaimed bodies posed a significant threat to the police’s actions. Khalra was taken from his home on September 6, 1995, and was tortured to death while in police custody.
Following a Supreme Court directive, the CBI conducted an investigation into the case. In 2011, the court upheld life sentences for five police officers involved, including various ranks from constable to DSP. The CBI also identified the then Tarn Taran SSP as a principal suspect, who reportedly died by suicide before facing any charges.
