2 months on, ASI's family yet to get aid, job

The family of ASI Sandeep Lather, who reportedly died by suicide at Ladhot village on October 14, have expressed disappointment that the state government has not yet provided them with any relief or assistance.

Despite assurances, no financial aid, job, or martyr's status has been extended, the ASI's cousin, Bhup Singh Lather from Julana, Jind, told ‘The Tribune’ on Thursday.

“Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini visited our house, and senior state officials attended the funeral. They had promised a job for his widow, financial aid, and martyr's status for Sandeep, but nothing has been done so far,” he said, adding that they would organise a social panchayat to raise the issue.

“At the time of the tragic incident, the government had promised us justice, but no one is paying attention to the family’s plight now,” he said.

He also questioned police functioning in a case registered on the complaint of Sandeep’s wife in connection with his death. Sushil, a former aide of the late IGP Y Puran Kumar, is among the accused in the case, as are Kumar’s wife and brother-in-law. “No concrete action has been taken by the police in the case so far. Non-submission of the chargesheet in another extortion case involving Sushil as the main accused also raises concerns about police functioning,” he said.

Sanjay Deswal, another cousin of the ASI, said he had been meeting government officials since the incident, but no relief had been provided yet.