Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has formally sought access to original audio and video recordings, along with archival documents, related to the historic trial of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, which are believed to be preserved in Scotland.

In a letter dated January 9 addressed to the British Deputy High Commissioner in Chandigarh, Alba Smeriglio, the Chief Minister highlighted the deep historical and emotional value of these records for the people of Punjab and for scholars studying colonial history and human rights. He noted that the materials reportedly form part of legal archives maintained by a Scottish museum or institution.

Mann stated that the Punjab government wishes to obtain these archival materials for scholarly research, digital preservation, and public display at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Heritage Complex in Khatkar Kalan, located in the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district. He requested the British authorities to facilitate access to the records or provide guidance on the formal process required to obtain authenticated copies.

According to the Chief Minister, the state’s tourism department would coordinate all necessary procedures, with the department’s secretary designated to handle official communication and documentation related to the request. He added that the initiative aims to ensure that future generations can connect more closely with the legacy of India’s freedom movement.

Mann described the effort as a meaningful step toward preserving shared historical memory and upholding universal values of justice, sacrifice, and human dignity. Sources said the Punjab government had received inputs suggesting that audio and visual documentation of the trials exists in Scotland.

This is not the first such initiative by the Chief Minister. In December last year, he had also reached out to members of the UK’s legal community, seeking assistance in locating rare video footage of Bhagat Singh, as no such visual records are currently available in India.