April 22nd 2007 should have been a joyous occasion for the Sikh community in Birmingham, instead what was supposed to be one of the largest vaisakhi mela’s in Europe, turned into a battle ground with many injured and one man stabbed to within inches of his life.
A year on from this day, the trial for this accused in being involved has come to an end. 5 men were charged with the attempted murder of Ravinder Singh Powar, these indiviuals were also charged with violent disorder. They are Parmjot singh Tutt, Avtar Singh Klaar, Gurmail Singh, Amandeep Singh and Avtar Singh Thandi.
3 others were also charged violent disorder Gurbax Singh Hayer, Sakhdeep Kandola and Sukhwinder Chico Chatha.
Sakhdeep Kandola also faces a further charge of Threats to Kill, and possession of a firearm. Amarprit Khera joins him on the firearm charge.
The trial ran for 9 weeks and had an estimated cost of £2million, but the cost to the Sikh community cannot be quantified. The damage to the image and reputation of this law biding community may never be undone.
Amandeep Singh was aquitted of all charges as was Gurmail Singh.
All that has been written on this report, is based on facts/evidence proven in court during the trial of these individuals.
Background.
The Prosecution opened the case that the fight in the park was based on Tradtional or Fundamentalists Sikhs vs Modern Sikhs. However during the course of the Trial it became apparent that this was not the case, In summing up the the judge stated that “ It is now clear that the spark that caused the violence on that day was when Tari Kandola punched Mr Klaar causing his turban to come off.”
It became evident early on that a central figure to the trial was going to be Tari Kandola, in fact it could be argued that Tari kandola was mentioned more than even Mr Powar the victim. Many defence counsels asked the question as to why Tari Kandola was not in the dock as a defendant, this question still remains unanswered.
It was made clear in court the extent of the relationship of Ravinder Powar and Tari Kandola, Mr Powar accepted that they were good friends, however Mr Powar denied the Tari Kandola had any sinister profile. This was later accepted by Tari Kandolas son who said that his father had a fearsome reputation in the community which he relished. Mr Powar also admitted to visiting Sakhdeep Kandola in Prison whilst he was on firearms charges.
Readers will be reminded that Mr Powar formed an unhealthy allegiance with Kandola, to keep control of Smethwick Gurdwara Mr Powar also sided with Kandola during the EK Niwas dispute in Summer 2006. This further alienated him from the community which he claimed held him in such high regard.
A year on from this day, the trial for this accused in being involved has come to an end. 5 men were charged with the attempted murder of Ravinder Singh Powar, these indiviuals were also charged with violent disorder. They are Parmjot singh Tutt, Avtar Singh Klaar, Gurmail Singh, Amandeep Singh and Avtar Singh Thandi.
3 others were also charged violent disorder Gurbax Singh Hayer, Sakhdeep Kandola and Sukhwinder Chico Chatha.
Sakhdeep Kandola also faces a further charge of Threats to Kill, and possession of a firearm. Amarprit Khera joins him on the firearm charge.
The trial ran for 9 weeks and had an estimated cost of £2million, but the cost to the Sikh community cannot be quantified. The damage to the image and reputation of this law biding community may never be undone.
Amandeep Singh was aquitted of all charges as was Gurmail Singh.
All that has been written on this report, is based on facts/evidence proven in court during the trial of these individuals.
Background.
The Prosecution opened the case that the fight in the park was based on Tradtional or Fundamentalists Sikhs vs Modern Sikhs. However during the course of the Trial it became apparent that this was not the case, In summing up the the judge stated that “ It is now clear that the spark that caused the violence on that day was when Tari Kandola punched Mr Klaar causing his turban to come off.”
It became evident early on that a central figure to the trial was going to be Tari Kandola, in fact it could be argued that Tari kandola was mentioned more than even Mr Powar the victim. Many defence counsels asked the question as to why Tari Kandola was not in the dock as a defendant, this question still remains unanswered.
It was made clear in court the extent of the relationship of Ravinder Powar and Tari Kandola, Mr Powar accepted that they were good friends, however Mr Powar denied the Tari Kandola had any sinister profile. This was later accepted by Tari Kandolas son who said that his father had a fearsome reputation in the community which he relished. Mr Powar also admitted to visiting Sakhdeep Kandola in Prison whilst he was on firearms charges.
Readers will be reminded that Mr Powar formed an unhealthy allegiance with Kandola, to keep control of Smethwick Gurdwara Mr Powar also sided with Kandola during the EK Niwas dispute in Summer 2006. This further alienated him from the community which he claimed held him in such high regard.
22nd April 2007
As we have already heard it was clear that the first instance of violence on that day had already been instigated by Tari kandola, it was alleged that this was in retaliation for Mr Klaar twisting his moustache. Mr Klaar clarified that he had a heavy moustache and it was his habit to touch his moustache. In any event the reaction from Mr Kandola was totally unacceptable, Mr Powar accepted that the attack by Kandola was unprovoked.
Mr Powar stated that he was his son and approx 6 others, most of these read like a who’s whos of the criminal community: Tari Kandola, Gabba uppal, Deepa Kandola, Gurbaksh Hayer, Docksie, Ricky Kang, Chico Chatha.
As the rumour spread around the park that someone turban had been taken off, the crowd grew more and more angry looking for the culprits. It was soon clear that the Shere Punjab gang had been responsible, namely Tari kandola.
But the crowd seemed to be getting more angry that an Amrtidhari gursikh was standing with Kandola despite what had happened. No one was surprised that Tari kandola had done such a despicable act. They had even boasted about it the week before. But for Powar then to side with him was maybe even worse. As the crowd approached Powars group, tensions were high, weapons were drawn, Kandolas group were goading the larger group. Namely Gurbax Hayer, the police spoke of him shouting aggressively at the crowd waving a sword at them, there was a running battle in which Chico had his arm cut. 2 others received cuts to their Face and neck. The police remained tried to gain control but were outnumbered eventually there was a stand off. When Ravinder Powar was questioned about this in court he said that the Kandola group did not do anything wrong, despite the police and independent witness’s saying the both groups were being aggressive. Several Witness described Gurbax Hayer as winding the other group up, one witness described him as a madman attacking others with sword. Mr Powar however was adamant that none of his group had done anything wrong.
During cross-examination Mr Powar had maintained that he had been pleading for peace he had not been involved in any violence and was an innocent victim on the day. Mr Powar was asked in court if he had at any point on that day had a weapon in his hand, He was asked this question 6 times each time he said no, the final time the QC said “Mr Powar I remind you that you are under oath on your holy scriptures, in a court of law, please think very carefully, were you at any point walking through handsworth park with a unsheathed kirpan in your hand?” Mr powar replied “Sir, 200% sure I didn’t have any weapon in my hand”
At this point the following picture was produced in court and shown to Mr Powar:
As we have already heard it was clear that the first instance of violence on that day had already been instigated by Tari kandola, it was alleged that this was in retaliation for Mr Klaar twisting his moustache. Mr Klaar clarified that he had a heavy moustache and it was his habit to touch his moustache. In any event the reaction from Mr Kandola was totally unacceptable, Mr Powar accepted that the attack by Kandola was unprovoked.
Mr Powar stated that he was his son and approx 6 others, most of these read like a who’s whos of the criminal community: Tari Kandola, Gabba uppal, Deepa Kandola, Gurbaksh Hayer, Docksie, Ricky Kang, Chico Chatha.
As the rumour spread around the park that someone turban had been taken off, the crowd grew more and more angry looking for the culprits. It was soon clear that the Shere Punjab gang had been responsible, namely Tari kandola.
But the crowd seemed to be getting more angry that an Amrtidhari gursikh was standing with Kandola despite what had happened. No one was surprised that Tari kandola had done such a despicable act. They had even boasted about it the week before. But for Powar then to side with him was maybe even worse. As the crowd approached Powars group, tensions were high, weapons were drawn, Kandolas group were goading the larger group. Namely Gurbax Hayer, the police spoke of him shouting aggressively at the crowd waving a sword at them, there was a running battle in which Chico had his arm cut. 2 others received cuts to their Face and neck. The police remained tried to gain control but were outnumbered eventually there was a stand off. When Ravinder Powar was questioned about this in court he said that the Kandola group did not do anything wrong, despite the police and independent witness’s saying the both groups were being aggressive. Several Witness described Gurbax Hayer as winding the other group up, one witness described him as a madman attacking others with sword. Mr Powar however was adamant that none of his group had done anything wrong.
During cross-examination Mr Powar had maintained that he had been pleading for peace he had not been involved in any violence and was an innocent victim on the day. Mr Powar was asked in court if he had at any point on that day had a weapon in his hand, He was asked this question 6 times each time he said no, the final time the QC said “Mr Powar I remind you that you are under oath on your holy scriptures, in a court of law, please think very carefully, were you at any point walking through handsworth park with a unsheathed kirpan in your hand?” Mr powar replied “Sir, 200% sure I didn’t have any weapon in my hand”
At this point the following picture was produced in court and shown to Mr Powar:
Mr Powar can be seen clearly walking through the park holding a kirpan in his right hand। When confronted with the picture Mr Powar claimed he was not walking and has just picked up the Kirpan from the floor was going to hand it to the police. A police officer’s flat helmet can be seen just behind Mr Powar by the man in the Pink top. Powar is walking in the opposite direction.
It was clear the Mr Powar had lied when he had said he never had a kirpan in his hand. He was also asked if his son had held a kirpan Mr Powar replied, ‘I don’t know.’ He was then shown the following picture:
Gurdip Powar can be seen holding a kirpan (blue tracksuit), Ravinder Powar said he didn’t know why his son would be holding a kirpan. It is also clear that the only people holding weapons in this picture are those in Mr Powar’s group. Gurbax Hayre (pink top) and Deepa kandola( Black Suit) are also carrying Swords.
Ravinder Powar had also said his group had not caused any trouble that day, he said that they had been innocent victims and were attacked for no reason, when pushed under questioning he had to concede that the first act of violence on that day was committed by Tari Kandola, when he punched a singh casuing his Turban to come off.
More to come in the next few days......
