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The Rediff Interview/Bibi Jagir Kaur

'Of course, the charges are false. I am innocent'

The Central Bureau of Investigation's special investigating unit interrogated Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Bibi Jagir Kaur for three hours on Friday, November 24. The agency is probing the murder of Harpreet Kaur, Jagir Kaur's daughter.

During the interrogation, the SGPC president -- the principal accused in the case -- is reported to have admitted that she had taken her daughter to a hospital for an abortion.

She, however, claimed that barring this, she knew nothing about the circumstances leading to the death of her 19-year-old daughter.

At the end of the interrogation, she requested the CBI not to summon her before November 30 in view of the SGPC election.

"She has made a request and normally such a request is granted as she is a political person," said CBI spokesman S M Khan. "But the investigating unit will decide on the date of her next appearance. If they feel she is required for questioning at an early stage then she would be summoned even before that date," he added.

CBI sources say Jagir Kaur will now appear before investigating officers on November 29 at its Dalhousie Road office in the capital.

This was denied by her advocates who claim that the CBI had given them no date as yet. "She will appear before the agency as and when called again. It is for the agency to tell us when she should appear before them next," said Navdeep Singh, former Punjab additional advocate general.

In an exclusive interview to Onkar Singh, Jagir Kaur said she was innocent and stressed this was a political conspiracy to frame and defame her. "The media has capitalised on my personal tragedy," she said.

The CBI has twice called you for interrogation. CBI officials allege that earlier you avoided questioning, but you were forced to co-operate because of the Punjab and Haryana high court order.

It is wrong to say I was avoiding any questioning by the CBI. After the Punjab and Haryana high court directed me to appear before the agency I appeared at the given time, 11 am on November 17. I was again called on November 24 and I appeared before the CBI officers to clarify my stand.

They (the CBI) wanted to clear some points that could not be explained during the last meeting. I want to ensure that nothing that is known to me remains unclarified. I also want to remove any doubts regarding this case. I have answered all questions. I am doing my duty. I have great respect for the law. I would do everything to ensure that the truth is revealed. I undertake to help the investigating agency in all manner that I could within the purview of the law.

But why co-operate only after a court order?

I have already told the media many times that I will co-operate with the CBI. But they did not get in touch with me either by phone, telegram, letter or any other means. How can I answer their questions when they don't ask me to come and explain? I had approached the Patiala court that I should be given time to explain my position. Unfortunately, my plea was not accepted. As an FIR was lodged against me, I felt it was necessary to get anticipatory bail before I came to the CBI to explain my position.

Are the charges then politically motivated in your opinion?

You are journalists and you should investigate the matter and bring out the truth. You should investigate the matter and write.

The CBI says there are discrepancies in your statements.

How can I answer questions on behalf of the CBI? I answered all the questions that they asked me during the interrogation on November 17 and 24.

Are the charges that have been levelled against you false?

Of course, they are false. I am innocent. Some people are trying to defame me. Some vested interests are behind this. One day the truth will come out and the whole world will know who is guilty and who is not.

If you are not guilty, then why did you not respond to the CBI summons earlier?

How can I when they did not ask me to appear before them? Now they have asked me to come and I am co-operating in every manner to ensure that I help them in the investigation. My effort is that whatever is known to me is known to them as well, and if they have any doubts then I should clarify them.

I even offered to execute bail bonds in accordance with the conditions that they might think fit. But they told me they were not arresting me for the time being.

Are you going to contest the SGPC election scheduled for November 30?

The Akali Dal's political affairs committee held a meeting in Chandigarh recently. It decided to give all powers to the party president, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, to nominate any person as the candidate for the post. He (Badal) has called a meeting of the PAC in Amritsar on November 29 to discuss the matter. Whoever he decides as a suitable candidate, the whole party will elect that person as SGPC president.

If Badal decides to nominate you, would you accept the responsibility?

If the Akali Dal president gives me an opportunity then I will shoulder the responsibility.

Don't you think if you had resigned earlier, then the party's image would have been enhanced?

That is your point of view. I need not necessarily agree with it.

Why are you angry with the media?

There is no question of being angry with the media. I have always co-operated with the media. In fact, the Delhi press has never called me for a press conference. I love the media and the media loves me.

Will you move the higher court to get the charges quashed?

The charges that have been levelled against me are totally baseless. I am co-operating with the CBI and answering all their questions. I hope by the time their interrogation comes to an end the need to move the higher court might not arise as the CBI might drop the charges against me. I believe I am hiding nothing from them.

EARLIER REPORTS:

Bibi Jagir Kaur granted bail
SGPC chief Jagir Kaur remains 'elusive'
Jagir Kaur's security officer surrenders to the CBI
The Harpreet Kaur murder case

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