US-based human rights group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has hired top Thai attorneys help Jagtar Singh ‘Tara’ challenge the Thai Criminal Court’s order to extradite him to India.
AMRITSAR – NRI Sikh groups abroad have approached the Thai Government through its High Commissions in various countries urging it not to extradite Jagtar Singh Tara, who has been convicted in the Beant Singh assassination case.
Dal Khalsa Spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said their UK chapter head Manmohan Singh Khalsa along with representatives of other like minded groups had submitted a memo to the Thai Embassy in London “expressing concerns of the Sikh diaspora”. In a memorandum, the representatives of various Sikh organisations under the banner of the Federation of Sikh Organisations (UK), said in case Tara is deported, he may be sent to the gallows and this would be a setback to the ongoing anti-death penalty campaign worldwide.
The co-accused in his case has been awarded a death penalty. They said the Sikh diaspora urges the Thai authorities not to extradite Tara as he may face death sentence in India. They also referred to cases of Sikh political prisoners languishing in jails even after completion of their terms.
They also circulated a plea on social media, saying: “Please stop extradition of Jagtar Singh Tara to India. Please advice Thai authorities to deport him to Pakistan or grant him a refugee status in Thailand. He faces persecution if sent back to India.”
SAD (Amritsar) general secretary Jarnail Singh Sakheera said their leaders in France and UK have also submitted a plea before the Thai Embassy, urging it not to extradite Tara.
