Samant Kumar Goel

 

At least Enforced Disappearances/Extrajudicial Executions

The dossier of Samant Kumar Goel visualizes cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions reportedly committed under his command during his tenure as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in various jurisdictions of Punjab. He not only permitted his subordinates and other security forces to perpetrate violations against residents in his assigned jurisdictions, but he also allowed them to travel extraterritorially to target individuals.

The number of cases presented here is an undercounting of the likely cases perpetrated under his command. These cases draw from Ensaaf’s interviews with family members of the victims and other witnesses, and present the information provided by them. This visualization excludes all cases where complete incident dates or locations were not available. Without this information, it is difficult to ascertain whether those incidents occurred under Goel's command. This data also excludes cases of individuals who were arbitrarily detained or tortured by Goel or officials under his command.

We will update the cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions reported under his command, as we receive more information. To a large extent, however, this information and the complete truth rests with the government of India.

Despite his role in perpetrating crimes against humanity, Goel ended his career as the leader of India's foreign intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing.

Command History

Unless otherwise noted, Samant Kumar Goel’s command history draws from the following sources: (1) the annual Civil List of the Indian Police Service (IPS) for the Punjab cadre, prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs, naming the position and date of posting of the senior police official as of January 1 of that year for 1983 to 1997, (2) news reports from the Punjabi daily newspaper Ajit and the English daily Tribune (Chandigarh), and (3) the individual websites of Punjab’s police districts, listing the names of Senior Superintendents of Police (SSP) and their dates of tenure. This information draws from publicly available records/sources; the complete account of Goel's official postings and activities lies with the government of India.

  • SSP Batala, September 13, 1989 - April 30, 1990


  • SSP Gurdaspur, September 21, 1990 - October 5, 1993
    (The Punjabi daily Ajit reported on September 19, 1990 that Goel was currently serving as Assistant Inspector General (Punjab Armed Police). Because this posting fell in the middle of the year, it was not reported in the IPS Civil List. That position would explain the gap between May and September 1990.)


  • AIG/IVC & Ops Amritsar, date of appointment October 13, 1993

  • SSP Amritsar, June 20, 1994 to February 17, 1996


  • Awarded Police Medal of Gallantry in 1996 (according to the 1997 IPS Civil List)

Personal Participation

  • cases directly implicating Samant Kumar Goel in abduction, disappearance, and/or killing

Known Promotions

The government of India consistently promoted S.K. Goel throughout his career, and he retired as the leader of India’s foreign intelligence agency. India also rewarded Goel in 1996 with the Police Medal of Gallantry. He has escaped accountability. Some of his known promotions include:

  • Awarded Police Medal for Meritorious Services by the President in 2000.

  • Joined Research and Analysis Wing, March 5, 2001. He went on to serve as in-charge consular in Dubai and in London.

  • Secretary, Research and Analysis Wing (foreign intelligence agency), appointed June 26, 2019. His tenure was extended until June 30, 2023, after which he retired.
Legal Cases / Select News Articles
Ajit, September 17, 1989, p. 5, “Batala’s New SSP Advises Runaway Youth to Return Home.” Goel reassures militant youth that they will receive leniency if they turn in their weapons. He also announces the establishment of Rural Defense Committees. Goel issues assurances that civilians will not be harassed.
Ajit, October 3, 1989, p. 3, “Nawaz Sharif’s Beeco Factory vs Torture Center.” Ajit reports on the past history of a notorious unofficial detention and torture center, documented by international human rights groups, as a factory. Due to opposition and protests, Goel alleges that the police have cleared out Beeco, but the reporter has observed police continuing to visit the detention center. Amnesty International documented Beeco's use as a torture center in its May 1991 report Human Rights Violations in Punjab: Use and Abuse of the Law.
Ajit, October 17, 1989, p. 1, “14 Individuals Killed in Punjab, including 3 Members of Family, 2 Suspects.” Goel reports on the killing of Mehal Singh and Gurmukh Singh as a genuine police encounter and the escape of a third associate, followed by the recovery of weapons at the scene. Mehal Singh’s family reported the killing to Ensaaf as an unlawful killing that followed an unlawful abduction. Kulwant Singh’s family also reported his unlawful killing the same night, as a co-victim with Mehal Singh. In an article published the next day on October 18, p. 1 (“7 Killed in Punjab, including 2 Suspicious Individuals—He is not Mehal Singh”), Goel clarifies the victim’s identity (Mehal Singh, village Saido; not Mehal Singh, village Dasuwal).
Ajit, October 18, 1989, p. 5, “Blame of Mehal Singh Killing in Fake Encounter.” All India Sikh Student Federation blames Goel for killing Mehal Singh in a fake encounter.
Ajit, October 19, 1989, p. 7, “Strict Action Against Terrorism Will Continue—Police Chief.” Punjab police chief KPS Gill praised the performance of SSP Goel, citing the surrender of 6 fugitives and killing of 5 terrorists. Gill provided further alleged statistics about the deaths of civilians and militants, recovery of weapons, and other details about the counterinsurgency movement.
Ajit, November 16, 1989, p.7, “Incidents—Two Arrested.” The article mentions the arrest of Jasbir Singh of village Madra. His family reported to Ensaaf that he was subsequent killed in an unlawful killing in 1990, after two to three prior unlawful detentions and torture by Indian security forces.
Ajit, November 18, 1989, p. 1, “15 Killed including a Suspect...How was Mahinder Singh killed?” Goel attributes Mahinder Singh’s death to a genuine encounter between militants housed at Mahinder Singh’s house and the BSF. Mahinder Singh’s family, however, reported it as an unlawful killing from indiscriminate firing by the BSF. Mahinder Singh had denied the presence of any militants at his house; instead, they had scripture readers there to perform an Akandh Path for his son’s wedding. (Discrepancy in village reported).
Ajit, January 5, 1990, p. 3, “Protest at Hargobindpur Police Station—Cases Should be Withdrawn: Federation.” Article describes a protest at a police station over two cases of unlawful detention and torture.
Ajit, January 31, 1990, p. 7 (column 4), “Killed by Police.” Goel admits to the accidental unlawful killing of Jagdish Singh by his police force, and promises compensation. The survivors reported to Ensaaf that they did not receive compensation.
Ajit, February 12, 1990, p. 7, “Extensive Arrangements to Fight Terrorism in Batala Police District.” Article describes the new police control room, additional equipment, and extra deployment of Border Security Force (BSF) companies.
Ajit, February 12, 1990, p. 7 (column 1), “SSP Narrowly Survived.” Goel survives landmine blast and firing by militants.
Ajit, August 5, 1991, p. 7, “Challenge to Police Chief Goel’s Statement in Representative Board’s Report.” Sikh Representative Board gives further information on the victims of the Pilibhit police massacre, including Jaswant Singh, Mukhwinder Singh, and Baljit Singh. This information contradicts SSP Goel’s earlier statement that the victims were wanted criminals (Ajit, July 20, 1991, p. 7, “Goel’s Claim”).
Ajit, May 5, 1992, p. 1, “SSP Narrowly Escaped—15 Killed in Incidents.” Article describes assassination attempt on SSP Goel.
Ajit, May 14, 1992, p. 1, “12 Injured in Bomb Blast in Phagwara.” Article describes another militant attack on SSP Goel.
Ajit, January 18, 1993, p. 3, “In Gurdaspur, Akali-Supported 200 Candidates are Detained in Police Stations–Chhotepur.” SSP Goel denies Akali allegations of police interference with panchayat elections by unlawfully detaining Gurdaspur candidates supported by Akalis.
Key Statistics of cases directly implicating Samant Kumar Goel:

Victim Demographics 

Gender

100.0% Male 7
 
 
0.0% Female 0

Marital status

42.9% Not married 3
 
 
57.1% Married 4

If married, did the victim have children?

57.1% Yes 4
 


Total children surviving victims: 9

Religion

100.0% Sikh 7
 

Caste

71.4% Jat 5
 
 
28.6% Non-Jat 2

Age

85.7% 18-33 6
 
14.3% 34-49 1
 

Education

57.1% High school 4
 
14.3% Some college 1
 
14.3% College degree 1
 
14.3% Vocational degree 1
 

Employment

57.1% Farmer/agriculture 4
 
42.9% Student 3
 
14.3% Shopkeeper 1
 
14.3% Mechanic 1
 
14.3% Other 1
 

Urban / Rural

100.0% Rural 7
 
 
0.0% Urban 0

Abduction, Detention, & Torture 

Prior detentions

85.7% Yes 6
 
 
14.3% No 1

Prior torture

71.4% Yes 5
 
 
14.3% No 1

Abduction preceding enforced disappearance/extrajudicial execution

85.7% Yes 6
 
 
14.3% No 1

Security officials informed witnesses where they were taking the victim

40.0% Yes 2
 
 
80.0% No 4

Witnesses to abduction

71.4% Yes 5
 
 
14.3% No 1

Victim abduction location

28.6% Village drain 2
 
14.3% Friend/relative's residence 1
 
14.3% Village fields 1
 
14.3% Shop/market 1
 
14.3% Police station 1
 

Detention facility type

Data forthcoming

Preceding detention location known

85.7% Yes 6
 
 
0.0% No 0

Witnesses to detention preceding enforced disappearance/extrajudicial execution

Data forthcoming

Security official response to victim status

28.6% Gave no response 2
 
14.3% Told family to go to another police station 1
 
14.3% Other 1
 

Victim presented before judge/magistrate

0.0% Yes 0
 
 
57.1% No 4

Enforced Disappearances vs. Extrajudicial Executions 

Classification

57.1% Extrajudicial executions 4
 
 
42.9% Enforced disappearances 3

Number of victims per family

85.7% 1 victim 6
 
14.3% 4 victim 1
 

Related incidents

0.0% Genuine encounters in family 0
 
 
100.0% No genuine encounters in family 7

Body Disposal 

Security forces returned body

0.0% Yes 0
 
0.0% Yes, but forced immediate cremation 0
 
57.1% No 4
 

Body disposal by security forces

42.9% Cremated the body 3
 

Condition of corpse, if known

Security Forces Implicated 

Names of involved security officials known

100.0% Yes 7
 
 
0.0% No 0

Security forces uniformed

80.0% Yes 4
 
 
20.0% No 1

Type(s) of security forces involved in abduction

57.1% Punjab Police 4
 
42.9% BSF 3
 
14.3% Criminal Investigation Agency 1
 
14.3% Other 1
 

Type(s) of security forces involved in extrajudicial execution

57.1% Punjab police 4
 
14.3% Criminal Investigation Agency 1
 

Militancy Involvement 

Militant status

71.4% Militant 5
 
 
28.6% Non-militant 2

Non-militant, provided support to militants

0.0% Yes 0
 
 
28.6% No 2

If provided support, support was voluntary

0.0% Yes 0
 
 
0.0% No 0

Remedies & Impact 

Approached court or commission

14.3% Yes 1
 
 
71.4% No 5

Approached security officials

57.1% Yes 4
 
 
42.9% No 3

Reason the family did not pursue any kind of action

85.7% Afraid of retaliation 6
 
14.3% Believed it would have been ineffective 1
 

Remedies desired from government

100.0% Employment 7
 
100.0% Truth commission 7
 
71.4% Monetary compensation to family 5
 
71.4% Public acknowledgement of wrongful deaths 5
 
71.4% Memorial for victims 5
 
57.1% Criminal sanctions against those responsible 4
 
57.1% Investigations into abuses 4
 
42.9% Rehabilitation services to family members 3
 

Year & District 

District

14.3% Amritsar 1
 
85.7% Gurdaspur 6
 

Year

0.0% 1981 0
 
0.0% 1982 0
 
0.0% 1983 0
 
0.0% 1984 0
 
0.0% 1985 0
 
0.0% 1986 0
 
0.0% 1987 0
 
0.0% 1988 0
 
14.3% 1989 1
 
28.6% 1990 2
 
28.6% 1991 2
 
14.3% 1992 1
 
14.3% 1993 1
 
0.0% 1994 0
 
0.0% 1995 0
 
0.0% 1996 0
 
0.0% 1997 0
 
0.0% 1998 0
 
0.0% 1999 0
 
0.0% 2000 0
 
0.0% 2001 0
 
0.0% 2002 0
 
0.0% 2003 0
 
0.0% 2004 0
 
0.0% 2005 0
 
0.0% 2006 0
 
0.0% 2007 0
 
0.0% 2012 0
 
0.0% Year Unknown 0