The prime suspect in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege case, Mahinderpal Singh Bittoo, was killed allegedly by two inmates in Punjab's high-security Nabha prison on Saturday, 22 June evening, police said, as reported by PTI.
Speaking about the incident, AD Rai, the Patiala Range IG said, “The people who are responsible for it have been arrested.”
“An FIR has been registered and further investigation will be done,” he added, reported ANI.
Attacked by Inmates Using Iron Rods
The incident occurred around 5.15 pm, when Mahinderpal Bittu – a follower of Dera Sacha Sauda sect – was allegedly attacked by other inmates. He was rushed to Nabha civil hospital near Patiala, where he was declared brought dead, according to police.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that Bittu (49), a resident of Faridkot, was allegedly attacked by Gursewak Singh and Maninder Singh, who were lodged in the Nabha prison in a murder case.
According to an official, Bittu was allegedly attacked by these inmates with iron rods which they picked up from a construction site inside the jail, PTI reports said.
Doctors at the hospital told reporters that Bittu had suffered serious head injuries in the incident.
Punjab CM Orders Inquiry
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered an inquiry into the attack on Bittoo, warning of stringent punishment for the assailants, an official statement said.
Singh ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the murder. The SIT will be headed by ADGP Law and Order Ishwar Singh.
Punjab’s Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa told PTI that two warders have been suspended over the incident.
Additional Director General of Prisons Rohit Chaudhary will head a fact-finding committee, which has been asked to submit the report within three days, the statement said.
"The inquiry will be in addition to the mandatory judicial inquest into the murder of the accused, Mahinderpal Bittu, who was arrested last year," it said.
Situation Tense in Kotkapura
Situation remained tense in Kotkapura on Monday, 24 June, as Dera Sacha Sauda members refused to cremate Bittoo, demanding a judicial probe into his killing in Nabha prison allegedly by two inmates.
As a precautionary measure, police and paramilitary forces also carried out flag march in adjoining towns of Koktapura in Faridkot district.
Senior police officials, Faridkot deputy commissioner and civil administration officials Monday held a meeting with Dera members and the family of Bittoo.
His body was brought to Kotkapura, where a large number of Dera followers gathered Sunday morning.
Bittu's body has been kept in 'Naam Charcha Ghar' (congregation/prayer centre) of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect at Kotkapura.
Kotkapura and many of its adjoining towns have a sizeable presence of Dera followers. Security measures are also in place across Punjab, including prayer centres in other places in the state.
Bittu's son, Arminder, had earlier told reporters in that his father was killed "under a conspiracy" and also alleged his name was dragged into this case", and they wanted justice.
The attack had also evoked sharp reactions from the opposition, with SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal demanding an inquiry. His party's senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder claimed that if this was the state of jails in Punjab, then one could imagine the law and order situation.
After the incident Saturday evening, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had ordered beefing up of security in the state, while appealing to all communities to maintain peace and "not give in to rumours".
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
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