Committee flags concerns over the release of Sikh detainees
A quartet comprising activist Gurdeep Singh Bathinda, attorney Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, scholar Pal Singh France and veteran Balwinder Pal Singh convened with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, pressing for a re‑examination of prisoners of Sikh faith who are serving extended sentences.
The group contended that numerous convictions warrant a fresh look under current legislation, and they called on the state to launch a systematic review that balances legal propriety with humanitarian sensibility.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s response
Mann listened intently and assured that his cabinet would treat the dossiers with the utmost seriousness. He emphasized that any corrective measures must be anchored in statutory compliance and procedural fairness.
"We will explore every legitimate pathway before making any decision on clemency," Mann said in a statement released after the meeting.
He also noted that pending legal issues left unresolved by former administrations would be given priority, and that the government intends to leave no stone unturned in its assessment.
Future steps and public reaction
Following the discussion, Mann shared a concise briefing on social media, highlighting the administration’s sensitivity to the matter and its resolve to reach a law‑based solution.
The delegation, which has been lobbying for months, regards the audience with the chief minister as a turning point that could accelerate dialogue and shape upcoming policy actions.
