Kin accuse police of inaction, stage protest

Bathinda, January 21

Accusing the police of inaction in a suicide case, relative of Shapinder Singh, who had ended his life by jumping in front of a train on December 8, 2018, staged a protest in front of the Civil Lines police station here on Monday.

Deceased’s father Harjit Singh, a resident of Nangal Khurd village in Mansa, said the police was not giving them justice. He, along with his villagers, also raised slogans against the police.

Harjit said, “My son Shapinder was staying in a PG in the Ajit Road area and was taking coaching for ILETS exam from an institute. On December 7, Shapinder was roaming on the terrace of his PG and a girl leveled allegation of eve-teasing against him. She filed a complained with the police. The Civil Line police took him and other boys of the PG to the police station. They were released later. A constable posted at the Civil Lines police station slapped my son and the police insulted him. Irked over it, he ended his life by jumping in front of a train next day.”

“For the past 40 days, I have been running from pillar to post, but I have not got justice. The police should register a case against all accused who forced my son to commit suicide. The PG owner also did not tell us on time what happened that day. The allegation of eve-teasing against my son is false and baseless,” he added.

ASI Gurmeet Singh from the Civil Lines police station said they did not get any written complaint in this regard and the GRP was probing the matter.

When the protesters remained adamant on their stance and continued their protest, DSP City 2 Karansher Singh reached the spot and tried to pacify them.

He assured the protesters that action would be taken as per law against the accused. After the assurance, the villagers lifted the protest.

Police officer Karansher Singh said, “The GRP is holding a probe into the matter and it had also called relative of the deceased for investigation. I have told the villagers that after the probe by the GRP, we will register a case against the accused as per law.” Villagers threatened to gherao the Civil Lines police station if the cops failed to take action by Wednesday. — TNS