Mourning:  Sikhs attend the funeral of Balkar Singh. Balkar was allegedly shot dead by bodyguards of Dera Saccha Sauda chief, Baba Ram Rahim. PIC/Sameer Markande

The Dera Saccha Sauda (DSS) management in Sirsa, Haryana, has finally condemned the brutal killing of Balkar Singh (45) outside the Nirmal Lifestyle Mall in Mulund. Balkar was allegedly shot dead by bodyguards of DSS chief, Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim, on June 20.

Pawan, spokesperson of the DSS, told MiD DAY from Sirsa, "It was an unfortunate incident that should not have taken place. Baba's bodyguards opened fire because they feared the worst. Baba did not know about the incident till he reached his ashram in Kalapur that evening." When asked why the guards did not fire in the air, he did not respond.

Pawan said some anti-Dera protestors had gathered outside the mall and tried to stop his convoy. He had escaped an assassination attempt three months ago, when miscreants attempted to blow off his convoy with RDX near Karnal, Punjab. His bodyguards feared something similar in Mulund and hence opened fire.

The spokesperson also clarified that on the fateful day, the DSS chief did not buy anything for himself. He first went to the Alpha showroom near Andheri and then halted at the Nirmal Lifestyle Mall. He was already in his car (black Tavera) when the incident took place.

The incident

Bodyguards of Baba Ram Rahim apparently opened fire at protestors outside the Nirmal Lifestyle Mall in Mulund. Malkar Singh died in the firing. Mulund was tense as thousands resorted to violence. The Dera chief later went to his ashram in Raigad.