VIENNA — Sikh sect leader, who killed in a shooting at the Gurdwara in Austria’s capital is being accused of disrespecting the Holy Sikh Scriptures, The Guru Granth Sahib, claim the six Sikh men on trail for murder.
The trial has began in the Austrian capital for the six Singhs who were arrested in connection to a shooting and brawl at a
A self-styled Ravidasia 'Guru', Baba Ramanand was killed and more than a dozen other individuals, including his assistant were injured during the May 24th, 2009 incident, at a Vienna Ravidasia temple last year.
One of the Singhs is charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder, the others are accused of accessory to murder and attempted intentional aggravated assault.
Officially, none of the Singhs were identified, but the Vienna public prosecutor's office said five are Indian citizens and that the nationality of the sixth suspect is unknown. However, the press has identified them as:  Jaspal Singh (35), Satvinder Singh (29), Tasem Singh (46), Sukhvinder Singh (28), Hardeep Singh (33), and Charnjeet Singh (24).
The 35-year-old main suspect told Judge Susanne Lehr that he had no recollection of the shooting due to an injury he sustained during the brutal brawl. The Austria Press Agency quoted him as disputing that he knew the five others standing trial or the temple where the attack happened.
The prosecution argued that the suspects are fundamentalist Sikhs who accused the preachers — both of whom were visiting from India — of being disrespectful of a The Guru Granth Sahib.
Verdicts are not expected before the end of September. If convicted, the suspects face up to life in prison.