Woman, child found dead at home; kin assault in-laws

Our Correspondent

Fazilka, January 19

Shakuntla Bai (23) and her one- and- a- half- year-old daughter Gurkeerat Kaur, residents of border village Retewali Bhaini, died under mysterious circumstances today.

Shakuntla Bai’s mother Surjeeto Bai in a statement said that her daughter had married Border Security Force (BSF) constable Piara Singh two years ago. She alleged that Piara Singh used to beat her daughter over petty domestic issues.

So, Shakuntla went to her parents’ house in Mohar Khiva village. After Shakuntla gave birth to a daughter, the village elders intervened, resulting in her return to her in-laws’ house.

Surjeeto Bai said that today, they got a message from neighbours that her daughter and granddaughter were found dead at their residence.

Surjeeto has alleged that Shakuntla has been murdered by her husband and other family members.

The police have registered a case under Section 174 of the CrPC (unnatural death). Parmod Kumar, incharge, Police Station Sadar, Fazilka, said that action would be taken after receiving the post-mortem report.

The relatives of Shakuntla reportedly beat up her father-in-law and other relatives when they visited the civil hospital during the post-mortem examination, forcing the police to rescue them.