The Uttarakhand High Court has granted bail to Baba Anoop Singh, also known as Bhai Anoop Singh, in connection with the Tarsem Singh murder case that took place at Nanakmatta Sahib Gurdwara earlier this year.
The case was heard before a single bench of Justice Ravindra Maithani, who observed that a person cannot be convicted of criminal conspiracy solely based on a phone call or past enmity.
Court Observes Lack Of Direct Evidence
While granting bail, the court noted that there was no substantial evidence directly linking Baba Anoop Singh to the murder. “A person cannot be held guilty of conspiracy based solely on a phone call or an old enmity,” Justice Maithani said, emphasizing that suspicion alone cannot replace proof in a criminal case.
On March 28, 2024, two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle entered the Nanakmatta Sahib Gurdwara premises and opened fire at Tarsem Singh, who was seated in the langar hall. Singh sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died on the spot.
The incident sent shockwaves through the local Sikh community and led to heightened security around the gurdwara complex.
Charges & Investigation
Following the murder, police registered an FIR against several individuals, including Baba Anoop Singh. The case was filed under Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 34 (common intention), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, along with Section 3/25 of the Arms Act.
Investigators alleged that there was a prior dispute and possible conspiracy behind the killing. However, the defense argued that Singh was being falsely implicated and that there was no concrete evidence proving his involvement in the crime.
After reviewing the case file and hearing arguments from both sides, the court decided to grant bail to Baba Anoop Singh, noting the absence of direct evidence connecting him to the shooting.
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