Impunity at the Highest Level
Widely recognized as one of the primary architects behind systematic disappearances and killings of Sikhs, the freedom of KPS Gill demonstrates the ongoing, deep-seated impunity in Punjab. During the 1980s and 1990s, then-Director General of Punjab Police Gill promoted a system of rewards and punishments for the killing of Sikh men. In the report Reduced to Ashes, one senior level police officer revealed:

"Every SSP had to report: I have killed 14. The other who said I have killed 28 was appreciated more. The third SSP who had to outsmart the first two had to report 31….Sikhs used to die so that the SSPs could vie with each other in showing their anti-terrorist achievements."

This climate of impunity facilitated thousands of deaths, including Jaswant Singh Khalra's.

Moreover, according to an eyewitness, Gill was present at Khalra's abduction and murder. In his testimony during the trial of subordinate police officers, Special Police Officer (SPO) Kuldip Singh, who guarded Khalra in illegal detention, testified that Gill interrogated Khalra several days prior to his murder. Kuldip Singh's testimony also indicated that Gill ordered subordinates to murder Khalra. Both the trial court and the Punjab and Haryana High Court especially cited the testimony in convicting-and later, upholding the convictions-of the subordinate police officers for Khalra's illegal detention and murder. The High Court stated "Kuldeep Singh [Kuldip Singh] is the star witness...We find his statement to be truthful, convincing and inspiring confidence."

Many other factors suggest Gill's complicity with, and knowledge of, Khalra's murder. Gill possessed a strong command of the Punjab Police, stating in an interview that he created an "active and accountable police leadership," and that he led "from the front." Gill had the ability to issue orders, initiate investigations, and discipline, promote, and reward subordinates. Gill also regularly held meetings, and otherwise communicated with, his subordinates, and was widely recognized by others as being in control of the Punjab Police. Yet after receiving complaints and court notices regarding Khalra's disappearance, Gill took no action to ensure Khalra's safety, and most likely hastened his death.

Accordingly, KPS Gill must be held responsible for the abduction, illegal detention, torture, and murder of human rights defender Jaswant Singh Khalra.