Chandigarh, Aug 17 - Radical Sikh groups of Punjab Monday presented a turban to state revenue official G.S. Benipal, who had stopped wearing one after being assaulted and stripped by youth Akali Dal activists and councillors in June.

Representatives of various Sikh bodies like Damdami Taksal, Dal Khalsa and Akal Federation went to Benipal's home in Kharar town in Punjab, around 10 km from here, Monday, to express support for him.

'It is quite shameful that main accused of the attack are still moving freely. The miscreants had insulted the whole Sikh community and degraded the sanctity of turban by taking away Benipal's turban with them,' Bhai Mohkam Singh of Damdami Taksal told reporters here.

'He is hurt both physically and emotionally... that is why he has refused to wear a turban till he gets his old one back. We want the Akali Dal government, SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) and Akal Takht to intervene in this matter and to make sure that Benipal gets justice,' he added.

Singh claimed Benipal was in depression as the government was mounting pressure on him to close the case.