India: Current information on the human rights worker Jaswant Singh Khalra and his September 1995 disappearance, and on whether his case is before the Indian Supreme Court
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IND24104.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, India: Current information on the human rights worker Jaswant Singh Khalra and his September 1995 disappearance, and on whether his case is before the Indian Supreme Court, 1 May 1996, IND24104.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acc118.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
For information on the present status of Jaswant Singh Khalra's case, please consult the attached 10 May 1996 report from the World Sikh Organization (WSO) in Nepean, Ontario.
In September 1995, Jaswant Singh Khalra, general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal's human rights wing, was abducted in Amritsar, allegedly by police (India Today 15 Dec. 1995, 53; India Abroad 24 Nov. 1995, 30; AI 7 Sept. 1995; Country Reports 1995 1996, 1312). Sources differ on when Khalra disappeared, some report 6 September 1995 (India Today 15 Dec. 1995, 53; AI 7 Sept. 1995; ibid. Oct. 1995; HRW 1995, 154; WSO 16 Oct. 1995, 1), while India Abroad reports that he had been missing since 16 September 1995 (24 Nov. 1995, 30). On 12 September 1995, Khalra's wife filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court in New Delhi (AI 21 Sept. 1995; India Today 15 Dec. 1995, 53) but police denied detaining him (AI 16 Nov. 1995; ibid. Oct. 1995; Country Reports 1995 1996, 1312). On 15 November 1995, the Supreme Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate Khalra's whereabouts and report its findings within three months (AI 16 Nov. 1995; Country Reports 1995 1996, 1312). The CBI was also ordered to investigate Khalra's allegations concerning the involvement of Punjab police in the cremation of unidentified Sikh bodies (India Today 15 Dec. 1995, 53; India Abroad 24 Nov. 1995, 30). The Superintendent of Police of Tarn Taran, allegedly involved in the Khalra kidnapping, was transferred upon orders from the Supreme Court (AI 16 Nov. 1995; India Abroad 24 Nov. 1995, 30), although according to India Abroad, the transfer was only temporary, until the CBI had completed its investigations (ibid.).
For additional information on Jaswant Singh Khalra and the human rights wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal, please consult Response to Information Request IND23174.E of 20 February 1996
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Amnesty International (AI). 16 November 1995. Urgent Action: India: Fear of "Disappearance"/Fear of Torture: Jaswant Singh Khalra, Human Rights Activist. (AI Index: ASA 20/35/95). London: Amnesty International.
_____. October 1995. India: Determining the Fate of the "Disappeared" in Punjab. (AI Index: ASA 20/28/95). London: Amnesty International.
_____. 21 September 1995. Urgent Action: India: Fear of "Disappearance"/Fear of Torture: Jaswant Singh Khalra, Human Rights Activist. (AI Index: ASA 20/27/95). London: Amnesty International.
_____. 7 September 1995. Urgent Action: India: Fear of "Disappearance"/Fear of Torture: Jaswant Singh Khalra, Human Rights Activist. London: Amnesty International.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 1996. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
Human Rights Watch. 1995. Human Rights Watch World Report 1996. New York: Human Rights Watch.
India Abroad [Toronto]. 24 November 1995. "Court Orders Probe in Alleged Cremations by Police.
India Today [Delhi]. 15 December 1995. Vol. 20, No. 23. Ramesh Vinayak. "J.S. Khalra: The Case of a Missing Activist."
World Sikh Organization (WSO). 16 October 1995. "Urgent: Human Rights Activist in India Still 'Disappeared'." Nepean, Ont.: World Sikh Organization.
Attachments
Amnesty International (AI). 16 November 1995. Urgent Action: India: Fear of "Disappearance"/Fear of Torture: Jaswant Singh Khalra, Human Rights Activist. (AI Index: ASA 20/35/95). London: Amnesty International.
_____. 21 September 1995. Urgent Action: India: Fear of "Disappearance"/Fear of Torture: Jaswant Singh Khalra, Human Rights Activist. (AI Index: ASA 20/27/95). London: Amnesty International.
_____. 7 September 1995. Urgent Action: India: Fear of "Disappearance"/Fear of Torture: Jaswant Singh Khalra, Human Rights Activist. London: Amnesty International.
India Abroad [Toronto]. 24 November 1995. "Court Orders Probe in Alleged Cremations by Police," p. 30.
India Today [Delhi]. 15 December 1995. Vol. 20, No. 23. Ramesh Vinayak. "J.S. Khalra: The Case of a Missing Activist," p. 53.
World Sikh Organization (WSO), Nepean. 10 May 1996. Memorandum to all WSO executives on Mr. Khalra, which was faxed to the DIRB.
_____. 16 October 1995. "Urgent: Human Rights Activist in India Still "Disappeared'." Nepean, Ont. World Sikh Organization, pp. 1-4.
