Oct
10
Sikh Victim of Wrongful Imprisonment in India Returns to His Family in the UK
October 10, 2004 | Comments Off on Sikh Victim of Wrongful Imprisonment in India Returns to His Family in the UK
After five years of illegal detention and false charges brought by the Indian government, a Sikh has returned to the UK and been reunited with his family.
During a visit to India in June 1999, Balbir S. Bains was wrongfully imprisoned by the Indian government on charges of terrorism. During his imprisonment, he was subjected to physical and mental torture:
After three years in jail without a conviction, he was subsequently found innocent of all charges, which were declared improper and unjust by Delhi’s Special Court. Whilst exonerating him, Special Judge, M.L. Sahni said in his final judgement:
“A balloon of falsehoods…the prosecution story stands falsified…It is well said that a lie does not have legs to stand on…Accordingly, I acquit the accused of the charges framed against him.”
Says Mr Harinder Singh: “It was even more shocking when shortly afterwards, an internal investigation conducted by the Intelligence Bureau (I.B) proved that the RDX explosives allegedly ‘found’ on Balbir’s person were, in fact, from an operation unit of the police.”
After his acquittal in May 2002 Mr Balbir Bains expected to be immediately reunited with his long-suffering family. However, to his horror, he discovered that he was yet to face another two years of heart-wrenching separation from his wife and five children. Since the UK Home Office continued to consider him a threat to national security.
Bains’ lawyer fought the denial of a returning resident visa, and the Home Secretary eventually withdrew the case against Bains.
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