Probe initiated after youth shoots self in police custody

A judicial probe has been initiated into an incident in which a youth allegedly shot himself in a police vehicle outside the Gharinda police station here on Wednesday night.

The deceased, Manjit Singh, a resident of Khasa, along with his accomplice Parnam Singh, were detained following intelligence inputs regarding possession of illegal arms by them. The post-mortem of the deceased was conducted in the presence of Justice Vinay Agarwal. The body was later handed over to the family of the deceased. The judicial officer recorded statements of the family members of the deceased and policemen who were present during the incident.

The police registered a case under the Arms Act case against the deceased and his accomplice in this connection. The police claimed that the accused were picked up following intelligence inputs about their involvement in smuggling of arms and narcotics.

The police had reportedly confiscated an illegal pistol from the accused. Manjit and Parnam were being taken to the police vehicle when the former allegedly shot himself with his licensed weapon, the police claimed. Charanjit Singh, SSP, Amritsar (Rural), said a judicial probe was initiated and everything would be clear following the inquiry. — TNS