Kin allege police inaction in Behram murder case

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, February 6

The family of Satnam Singh (48), who succumbed to his injuries this morning at Johal Hospital, has alleged inaction on the part of the police for failing to arrest four of the five assailants who had brutally beaten up Satnam with sharp weapons at his residence at Behram village, near Gurudwara road, on January 30.

Satnam Singh’s brother Gurmehar Chand said that on the night of January 30, around 10 pm, Satnam’s son had a small fight with his neighbour’s son, Jindi, following which the latter’s family members, including his brother Gurpreet Singh, mother Kanta Devi, father Sarjeet Singh and uncle Harjeet Singh alias Haneshi, attacked Satnam Singh with sharp weapons and a base ball bat leaving him badly wounded. He said Jindi’s family also tried to kill Satnam’s son but he escaped from the spot to save himself.

Gurmehar said Satnam was taken to a hospital on the night of January as he received serious injuries on his head, arms and legs. He along with other village members, registered a complaint against the accused at the Bhogpur police station on January 31, while the police failed to initiate action and the accused absconded.

“This morning, around 4 am, my brother succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead by the doctors at the Johal Hospital. He is survived by his wife and two sons,” Gurmehar said, alleging that the accused might have been arrested had the police initiated action the very next day.

He said today, along with other members of the village who are an eyewitness to the crime, submitted an application to the SHO demanding action against the accused.

SHO, Naresh Joshi of Bhogpu said a case under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered against five members of the family —- Harjeet, Gurpreet, Sarjeet, Kanta and Jindi. The SHO said Harjeet alias Haneshi has been arrested while the other accused are at large.

Joshi said raids are being conducted at places where the accused could be hiding and expressed the confidence that they would soon be arrested.

The case

Satnam Singh’s brother Gurmehar Chand said that on the night of January 30, around 10 pm, Satnam’s son had a small fight with his neighbour’s son, Jindi, following which the latter’s family members, including his brother Gurpreet Singh, mother Kanta Devi, father Sarjeet Singh and uncle Harjeet Singh alias Haneshi, attacked Satnam Singh with sharp weapons and a base ball bat leaving him badly wounded. He said Jindi’s family also tried to kill Satnam’s son but he escaped from the spot to save himself.