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Centre, Punjab Asked to Compensate Sikhs Detained Post Op Bluestar

The judge who gave the compensation order referred to the detainment of 40 men as a “case of malicious prosecution”.

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India
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Coming as a relief more than 30 years after they were illegally detained post the infamous Operation Bluestar in Amritsar's Golden Temple, a group of 40 Sikh men have been granted a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for going through the ordeal, reported Indian Express.

The Punjab government and the Central government have been directed to pay the requisite amount via a 12 April order by Amritsar District Judge Gurbir Singh, who refers to the detainment as a "case of malicious prosecution, illegal detention and maltreatment on the part of authorities/defendants".

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The 40 people in question were reportedly placed under custody for eight days in a temporary jail in Amritsar starting 6 June 1984, before being transferred to Jodhpur.

The order categorically says:

No evidence is there on record that the plaintiff had fired towards the Army personnel during Operation Bluestar. Inference cannot take the place of proof.

The compensation order also attaches a 6 percent per annum interest rate "from the date of filing the suit till today" as well as "from the date of decision till actual realisation of the decretal amount".

The Indian Express report further states that the compensation order covers “both periods – illegal detention and alleged delay in trial”.

In connection with the case, the judge underlined the need for the armed forces "to protect and uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms on which democratic societies are based".

(Source: Indian Express)

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