Good News Friends!
Ranjit Singh Gill "Kukki" is a free man now.
The review board of the Delhi Government, which met under the chairmanship of Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, today commuted the life sentence of Ranjit Singh Gill, alias Kukki. I would like to thank each and everyone for supporting the cause. And am happy that at last the Justice is being served.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
After 22 years of strugle and suffering Ranjit Singh is a reformed man
In my opinion there are not only chances of his being reformed and settled in life peacefully, but he already appears to be a reformed person.
R.K. Jain, Additional Sessions Judge for KUKKI’S Case
Thursday, April 2, 2009
What others say for Kukki..............
17 yrs later, Avantika Maken meets man who killed her parents and says: I forgive!
‘I said, hang him... ...now I want him freed’
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main11.asp?filename=hub042305now_I_want.asp
The political events of 1984 have created many tragedies. Avantika and I are both its victims. I had no role in the violence and I wish that these tragedies are never repeated.
R.K. Jain, Additional Sessions Judge for KUKKI’S Case
Gurpreet Singh Brar, President, PAU-Students Association
International Human Rights Organisation
Sarabjot Kaur (Wife Ranjit Singh Gill)
ਪਰਵਾਸੀ ਰੇਡੀਓਅਦਾਲਤ ਨੇ ਕੁੱਕੀ ਨਾਲ ਨਾਇਨਸਾਫੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਜਦੋਂ ਕੋਈ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਮੁੱਖ ਧਾਰਾ ਵਿਚ ਆ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਆਮ ਆਦਮੀ ਦੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਬਤੀਤ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਜ਼ਲੀਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ।
ਸ. ਪਰਮਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਰਨਾ, ਦਿੱਲੀ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧਕ ਕਮੇਟੀ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ
‘I said, hang him... ...now I want him freed’
Avantika Maken
source:http://www.tehelka.com/story_main11.asp?filename=hub042305now_I_want.asp
The political events of 1984 have created many tragedies. Avantika and I are both its victims. I had no role in the violence and I wish that these tragedies are never repeated.
Ranjit Singh Gill "KUKKI"
source:
The crime had been committed during turbulent times, and peace had returned and normalcy had been restored. "The convict is not a criminal and his behaviour in detention as well as during trial has been commendable and he has never shown any disrespect to anybody including the court. He has never raised any voice against the law of the land also. In my opinion there are not only chances of his being reformed and settled in life peacefully, but he already appears to be a reformed person.
R.K. Jain, Additional Sessions Judge for KUKKI’S Case
source:
“He has already spent 17 years behind bars and five years on conditional bail. We urge the government to intervene and give him justice.”
Gurpreet Singh Brar, President, PAU-Students Association
source:
Come forward the people who believe in rule of law and justice to stand by Kukki, express their sympathy and solidarity with him so that he may not be dealt harshly, discriminately and racially as has be done in the past by the Delhi government.
International Human Rights Organisation
source:
Ranjit Singh Gill a shining example of how one can re-build one's life.
World Sikh News Network
source:
Ranjit’s release will not only pave the way for many others to join the mainstream, but help Ranjit serve society in a constructive manner.
ਕੁੱਕੀ ਆਪਣੀ ਲੜਾਈ ਆਪ ਲੜ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। ਆਪਣੇ ਨਿੱਜੀ ਯਾਰਾਂ ਦੋਸਤਾਂ ਤੇ ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇਦਾਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਦਦ ਨਾਲ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਦੀ ਲੜਾਈ ਲੜ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। ਸ਼ਾਇਦ ਇਹ ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਵੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਕੁੱਕੀ ਦਾ ਸੰਬੰਧ ਕਿਸੇ ਜੱਥੇਬੰਦੀ ਨਾਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਲਾਹਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਣ ਵਾਲਾ। ਇਸੇ ਲਈ ਉਹ ਲਗਭਗ ਤਿੰਨ ਦਹਾਕੇ ਨੂੰ ਢੁੱਕ ਚੁੱਕੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਵੈਮਾਨ ਦੀ ਜੰਗ ਇੱਕਲਾ ਹੀ ਲੜ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।
ਪਰਵਾਸੀ ਰੇਡੀਓ
I want to put back my past and lead a free life like any other citizen of India.
Ranjit Singh Gill "Kukki"
source:
After 17 years Ranjit Singh Gill alias "KUKKI" is not a free man
IT’S AN OUTCRY FOR JUSTICE ON HUMAN GROUNDS FROM EVERYONE WHO BELIEVE IN HUMANITY AND RIGHT TO LIVE FREE.
This blog is launched to share the story of a man who was once a shinning star and a promising young scientist but a political tragedy made him a “Sikh Activist” who took law in his hands and tried to fix the political system on his own. The young blood and the turbulent incidents of the time forced him to take the path of violence which put his whole life into jeopardy.
When he joined this movement he never thought of the consequences because at that time he was emotionally shattered and like many others he was hurt and felt like a refugee in his own country.
The country where he was born and dreamed to conquer the world like any other average Indian youth. The country where people from his community laid there lives for its freedom and dignity.The country which boasts of being the world's biggest democracy.
About Ranjit Singh Gill alias “KUKKI”
Ranjit Singh Gill alias "Kukki" is son of an eminent scientist, former Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agriculture University and Padam Bhushan (India’s third highest civilian award) Awardee Mr. Khem Singh Gill.
During his student years, Ranjit Singh had done his research under well-known biotechnologist Dr H S Dhaliwal. He had completed all the research work and had took the viva but before making the final submission, Kuki and his friend Sukhi had fled their homes.
What went wrong?
Ranjit Singh Gill was 24 when he was charged with the murder of Congress politician Lalit Maken and his wife Geetanjali in the aftermath of the 1984 riots. Ranjit Singh Gill was convicted to be a part of the Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan (BTFK) squad which killed the South Delhi MP and his wife at their Kirti Nagar residence in West Delhi on the morning of July 31, 1985.
At that time he was pursuing his MSc in Plant Breeding and Genetics at PAU and was about to submit his M.Sc thesis and he had a fellowship offer from Kansas State for his Ph.D.
Events that led Ranjit Singh to take this drastic step?
He was shattered to see the place which is considered the "VATICAN OF SIKHS" the holiest and the most respectable place for everyone from his community, being invaded, destroyed and plundered ruthlessely.
The aftermath of Operation Bluestar /1984 Riots shaked his soul and he felt like many others, being alienated in his own country.
In short the political tragedy of that time and the emotional outcry of his fellow believers forced him to pick up arms against the INDIAN STATE. The state which he loved for all these years, the state where he was born and enjoyed all the best things of life.
Lalit Makan, Cong. (I) Trade Union Leader and Metroplitan Controller at the time of 1984 riots was known to have played a major role in the massacre of more than 3000 people of a certain community to which Ranjit Singh belonged.
http://www.pucl.org/Topics/Religion-communalism/2003/who-are-guilty.htm
Gill after being wanted in connection with Makan’s murder moved to US in early 1986 where he was finally arrested in May 1987.
Gill was arrested by the US Police on May 14, 1987, where he stayed in a detention centre in New York for 13 years.
Recalling his stay in the American jail, Ranjit says:
“After our arrest in New Jersey in 1987, we were shifted to downtown Manhattan and were lodged in the 13-storeyed Manhattan Correction Centre. The unit, Nine South, close to the WTC, is meant to lodge prisoners for short durations. But we were kept there for over 10 years and did not get to see the sky. It was a jail within a jail. The bare, white concrete walls, and 8x10 feet cells tend to suck hope out from an individual. Mental isolation, which we were subjected to, was worse than physical torture. We were deprived of natural light and the air, too, was re-circulated. As a result we had skin eruptions. However, I shared my joys and sorrows with Sukhwinder, who was also lodged there.” “At times I was shaky. But I followed a daily routine of prayer and maintained my fitness. I also secured a 16-week Personal Trainer diploma in New York during my imprisonment.”
The extradition request by the Indian government was turned down three times.
Finally, in February 2000, Gill told the court to stop the proceedings and requested to go back.
May 7, 2000 Gill was brought to Delhi (India) following extradition from the US.
Gill’s Trial in INDIA
Gill was tried at the district courts at Tis Hazari in New Delhi and during the trial he was in jail.
There were several discrepancies in the case. Several witnesses were brought forth but only one, who was nine years old at the time of murder supported the prosecution versions.
The Bench rejected the argument that the witness was nine-year-old when the murder took place on July 31, 1985 and it was 15 years later, in 2002, that he identified Gill, raising doubts that he was tutored by the prosecution.
A person injured in the incident said that he had never seen him.
But he was given a life-sentence in February, 2003, (A sessions court sentenced Gill to life imprisonment for killing Maken and his wife).
His case for release was pending before the chief minister of Delhi since February 2003.
Gill after spending 17 years in US and Indian jails was granted bail in 2004 as an undertrial.
Gill was granted an interim bail under stringent conditions on account of his mother’s terminal illness.
After staying out of jail for 5 years and fighting his case he was awarded the life sentence again on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2009.
March 16, 2009 Kukki surrenders in New Delhi
Kukki now plans to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court, and hopes for reprieve.
While out on bail, he had applied to the PAU to allow him make the final submission of his thesis. He is granted one semester’s time to submit his research work for securing the degree. The semester ends in June.
For the past five years, when he was out on parole, he had been taking out peace marches condemning terror attacks worldwide. Of late he had even started delivering lectures to different schoolchildren on the importance of peace and human values in life.
Gill had married Sarabjit Kaur five years ago. The couple has not planned children. They were waiting decision on the appeal.
Previously it took him 17 years to return home, now he is again in custody with a bleak hope of reprieve from the new life sentence that means another 14 years in jail.
I hope this story will not only give a message that violence is not the right path but will also create some wave for Ranjit Singh Gill so that this once misguided but now a reformed youth can be freed.
After reading this story if you feel that Ranjit Singh Gill is a victim of political tragedy that struck India and its Beautiful State PUNJAB in 1980s please join and support the cause by joining group at:http://www.facebook.com
(Seeking Release of Ranjit Singh Gill alias "KUKKI").
Friends join hands to send this message to our responsible leaders to free this victim of political tragedy.
This blog is launched to share the story of a man who was once a shinning star and a promising young scientist but a political tragedy made him a “Sikh Activist” who took law in his hands and tried to fix the political system on his own. The young blood and the turbulent incidents of the time forced him to take the path of violence which put his whole life into jeopardy.
When he joined this movement he never thought of the consequences because at that time he was emotionally shattered and like many others he was hurt and felt like a refugee in his own country.
The country where he was born and dreamed to conquer the world like any other average Indian youth. The country where people from his community laid there lives for its freedom and dignity.The country which boasts of being the world's biggest democracy.
About Ranjit Singh Gill alias “KUKKI”
Ranjit Singh Gill alias "Kukki" is son of an eminent scientist, former Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agriculture University and Padam Bhushan (India’s third highest civilian award) Awardee Mr. Khem Singh Gill.
During his student years, Ranjit Singh had done his research under well-known biotechnologist Dr H S Dhaliwal. He had completed all the research work and had took the viva but before making the final submission, Kuki and his friend Sukhi had fled their homes.
What went wrong?
Ranjit Singh Gill was 24 when he was charged with the murder of Congress politician Lalit Maken and his wife Geetanjali in the aftermath of the 1984 riots. Ranjit Singh Gill was convicted to be a part of the Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan (BTFK) squad which killed the South Delhi MP and his wife at their Kirti Nagar residence in West Delhi on the morning of July 31, 1985.
At that time he was pursuing his MSc in Plant Breeding and Genetics at PAU and was about to submit his M.Sc thesis and he had a fellowship offer from Kansas State for his Ph.D.
Events that led Ranjit Singh to take this drastic step?
He was shattered to see the place which is considered the "VATICAN OF SIKHS" the holiest and the most respectable place for everyone from his community, being invaded, destroyed and plundered ruthlessely.
The aftermath of Operation Bluestar /1984 Riots shaked his soul and he felt like many others, being alienated in his own country.
In short the political tragedy of that time and the emotional outcry of his fellow believers forced him to pick up arms against the INDIAN STATE. The state which he loved for all these years, the state where he was born and enjoyed all the best things of life.
Lalit Makan, Cong. (I) Trade Union Leader and Metroplitan Controller at the time of 1984 riots was known to have played a major role in the massacre of more than 3000 people of a certain community to which Ranjit Singh belonged.
http://www.pucl.org/Topics/Religion-communalism/2003/who-are-guilty.htm
Gill after being wanted in connection with Makan’s murder moved to US in early 1986 where he was finally arrested in May 1987.
Gill was arrested by the US Police on May 14, 1987, where he stayed in a detention centre in New York for 13 years.
Recalling his stay in the American jail, Ranjit says:
“After our arrest in New Jersey in 1987, we were shifted to downtown Manhattan and were lodged in the 13-storeyed Manhattan Correction Centre. The unit, Nine South, close to the WTC, is meant to lodge prisoners for short durations. But we were kept there for over 10 years and did not get to see the sky. It was a jail within a jail. The bare, white concrete walls, and 8x10 feet cells tend to suck hope out from an individual. Mental isolation, which we were subjected to, was worse than physical torture. We were deprived of natural light and the air, too, was re-circulated. As a result we had skin eruptions. However, I shared my joys and sorrows with Sukhwinder, who was also lodged there.” “At times I was shaky. But I followed a daily routine of prayer and maintained my fitness. I also secured a 16-week Personal Trainer diploma in New York during my imprisonment.”
The extradition request by the Indian government was turned down three times.
Finally, in February 2000, Gill told the court to stop the proceedings and requested to go back.
May 7, 2000 Gill was brought to Delhi (India) following extradition from the US.
Gill’s Trial in INDIA
Gill was tried at the district courts at Tis Hazari in New Delhi and during the trial he was in jail.
There were several discrepancies in the case. Several witnesses were brought forth but only one, who was nine years old at the time of murder supported the prosecution versions.
The Bench rejected the argument that the witness was nine-year-old when the murder took place on July 31, 1985 and it was 15 years later, in 2002, that he identified Gill, raising doubts that he was tutored by the prosecution.
A person injured in the incident said that he had never seen him.
But he was given a life-sentence in February, 2003, (A sessions court sentenced Gill to life imprisonment for killing Maken and his wife).
His case for release was pending before the chief minister of Delhi since February 2003.
Gill after spending 17 years in US and Indian jails was granted bail in 2004 as an undertrial.
Gill was granted an interim bail under stringent conditions on account of his mother’s terminal illness.
After staying out of jail for 5 years and fighting his case he was awarded the life sentence again on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2009.
March 16, 2009 Kukki surrenders in New Delhi
Kukki now plans to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court, and hopes for reprieve.
While out on bail, he had applied to the PAU to allow him make the final submission of his thesis. He is granted one semester’s time to submit his research work for securing the degree. The semester ends in June.
For the past five years, when he was out on parole, he had been taking out peace marches condemning terror attacks worldwide. Of late he had even started delivering lectures to different schoolchildren on the importance of peace and human values in life.
Gill had married Sarabjit Kaur five years ago. The couple has not planned children. They were waiting decision on the appeal.
Previously it took him 17 years to return home, now he is again in custody with a bleak hope of reprieve from the new life sentence that means another 14 years in jail.
I hope this story will not only give a message that violence is not the right path but will also create some wave for Ranjit Singh Gill so that this once misguided but now a reformed youth can be freed.
After reading this story if you feel that Ranjit Singh Gill is a victim of political tragedy that struck India and its Beautiful State PUNJAB in 1980s please join and support the cause by joining group at:http://www.facebook.com
(Seeking Release of Ranjit Singh Gill alias "KUKKI").
Friends join hands to send this message to our responsible leaders to free this victim of political tragedy.
"SUPPORT A VICTIM OF POLITICAL TRAGEDY"
After 17 years of physical and mental suffering Ranjit Singh Gill alias "Kukki" is not a free man. I won't be wrong if I call Ranjit Singh Gill a victim of political tragedy that happened in 1980's. This was a tragedy, a mishap which left a black spot in the history of India and affected almost every heart of that community that suffered the brunt of it. I don't want to touch that painful and shameful past. But, would like to request all the people who have a little bit of love for humanity to support this man, who has suffered and ruined golden years of his life. One wrong step towards violence has ruined a budding scientist.
At the time of tragedy he was 24 and was a promising young man but after 17 years of suffering he is a changed man who just wants to get back his life. But, his all efforts to return back to normal life / mainstream are proven futile.
The court which awarded him a life sentence itself said that a convict is not a criminal and whatever happened was during the turbulent time and Kukki was a victim of political tragedy, but still cannot do Justice to its own words.
The year 2009 ruling of High Court was a blow for the 80 year old man who had strong faith in the Justice system of the country, it was a blow to the dreams of the girl who was expecting a change in her fortune and the biggest blow to the man himself who has already suffered a lot and has gone through hell and still paying the price for being a religious fanatic.
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