Suicide pact: Four booked for assault

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, December 5

Finally, the Faridkot police today registered a criminal case against Lal Singh and three others for assaulting Salwinder Kaur on August 20. But it has come a little too late as Salwinder, her husband Jagtar Singh and two daughters had committed suicide on September 22.

On August 20, Salwinder was allegedly assaulted by her politically-connected neighbour Lal Singh in Society Nagar, Faridkot.

According to a suicide note left behind by Jagtar Singh, a daily wager, and his three family members on September 22, he had approached the police after the assault.

It was alleged that Salwinder was forcibly discharged from hospital on the directions of an Akali leader.

The police also allegedly did not take any action against the accused. Rather, the accused allegedly threatened to kidnap the two teenage daughters of Jagtar Singh.

Failing to get justice, Jagtar, Salwinder and their two daughters Harbhajan Kaur and Parveen Kaur allegedly jumped into a canal here on September 22.

They left behind a suicide note accusing the police, Akali leader and those who had assaulted Salwinder Kaur for forcing them to take extreme step.

Now, after the High Court has asked the Punjab DGP to submit a report to the court on December 14 in this suicide pact case, the Faridkot police have started taking some action.

The police today registered a criminal case under Section 325, 323, 34 of the IPC (causing grievous hurt) against Lal Singh and three others for the August 20 incident. The police claimed the case was registered after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducted its inquiry into the allegations. But the police have not mentioned the name of the Akali leader and other politically influential persons.

SSP Faridkot DS Mann said that the SHO and investigation officer who were negligent in taking action against the accused were already under suspension.