‘Metal’ pellets found in farmer Shubhkaran Singh’s head: Autopsy

Aman Sood

Patiala, March 5

Twenty two-year-old farmer Shubhkaran Singh died from a “firearm injury” with multiple “metallic” pellets being recovered from the head, a team of five doctors has observed in its post-mortem report.

‘Firearm injury’ led to 22-year-old’s death

• Death caused by head injury as a result of firearm & victim died within a few minutes, says autopsy report
• 2 injuries found on skull; multiple metallic ‘balls’ found in cerebral hemispheres, which proved fatal, say docs
• Second injury involves swelling above the left eyebrow with underlying fracture on the frontal bone

High-level probe sought

We have been saying all along that actual weapons and rounds were fired at protesters. A high-level probe is needed. Farm union leader

The farmer, declared a martyr, was killed during the ongoing agitation near Khanauri on the Haryana-Punjab border on February 21. It is alleged the fatal round was fired by Haryana cops, who had resorted to use of rubber bullets, tear gas shells and smoke bombs to prevent the farmers from marching towards Delhi.

The report, in possession of The Tribune, states the death was caused by a “head injury as a result of firearm” and that the victim died “within a few minutes”.

The report is now part of the official records and attached with the ‘zero’ FIR, lodged by the Patiala police into Shubhkaran’s death.

According to sources at the Government Rajindra Hospital, the doctors were asked by the police to hand over the report in a sealed envelope with “strict orders” not to discuss it with anyone.

The report states two injuries were found on the victim’s skull, one of which proved fatal. “Multiple round metallic ‘balls’ (pellets) are recovered from both cerebral hemispheres that are all sealed in a jar and handed over to the investigating officer (IO) for ballistic expert opinion, if needed by the IO. The hair and skin around the wound and shaved hair are sealed in a jar and handed over to IO for GSR (gunshot residue) and ballistic opinion, if needed by the IO,” the report says of the first injury.

The second injury involves “mild swelling on left frontal region 4 cm above left eyebrow. On dissection, extracalvarial hematoma present with underlying fracture on frontal bone”.

The report concluded: “The cause of death in this case, in our opinion, is head injury as a result of firearm, which is sufficient to cause death in ordinary course of nature.” The nature of the weapon or force that caused death was a firearm, while the victim died “within about few minutes” of the injuries, it added.

A senior IPS officer said the GSR and ballistic opinion by experts would help ascertain the make of the weapon used in the murder.

“The weapon used by the Haryana Police to fire at protesting farmers will be known once the ballistic report of the recovered metallic pellets is received. Since it is a zero FIR, the police will be under time constraint to hand over the investigations to the Jind police in Haryana within two months of registering the FIR,” he said.

None of the senior hospital or police officials could be reached for comment.