Chhokar family call for new inquiry

The family of an Asian man murdered more than 13 years ago is seeking a meeting with Scotland’s most senior law official over the case.

Surjit Singh Chhokar was stabbed to death outside the home he shared with his girlfriend in Overtown, Lanarkshire, in 1998.

The murder sparked controversy after the failure of prosecuting authorities to bring a conviction despite the arrests of three men and two trials.

Two official inquiries made allegations of “institutional racism” and the then Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC, said that the Chhokar family had been failed by the police and prosecution.

Reform of Scotland’s centuries-old double jeopardy law which came into force at the end of last year, means the men originally accused of the murder could face a retrial.

Mr Chhokar’s niece Jasneet Sangha, who speaks on behalf of the family, said: “We want the case reopened and reinvestigated and if there is any shred of evidence, we want the killers brought to justice”.

A Crown Office spokesman said: “Many cases are being looked at both under the cold cases and double jeopardy reviews but I cannot confirm whether the Chhokar case is one of them.”

He added: “We have not had any requests from the family for a meeting with the Lord Advocate.”