Gangster Jaipal Bhullar cremated after 2nd autopsy rules out torture

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh/Ferozepur, June 23

Slain gangster Jaipal Singh Bhullar was cremated today in Ferozepur two weeks after his death in a police encounter. The family agreed to cremate him following a second postmortem report by a Board of Doctors at the PGI stating he died of a firearm injury and there were no other extraneous wounds on his body.

Jaipal’s father Bhupinder Singh, an ex-Punjab Police inspector, however, alleged the report was seemingly concocted and apparently made under pressure from senior officials of the state government. The second postmortem report was conducted by a medical board constituted by the PGI on Tuesday following an order by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The cremation was done amidst large presence of police force, intelligence sleuths and mediapersons who apparently outnumbered the relatives and friends. Jaipal’s younger brother Amritpal Singh, who is presently lodged in the Central Jail, Bathinda, was brought here “handcuffed” by the security personnel to perform the cremation and do the last rights.

During the cremation, Amritpal wanted his handcuffs to be removed but taking no chances, the escorting police personnel did not oblige. Immediately after the cremation, Amritpal, who is one of the accused in the 30 kg gold “loot” that took place in Ludhiana last year, was whisked away back to Bathinda.

Earlier, Jaipal’s body was brought here from Kolkata on June 11, but before the cremation could take place, his father alleged there were marks on his body, indicating torture, after which he approached the district administration and the High Court, saying another postmortem should be done.

In the report issued by the PGI team, it was mentioned that there were no injuries on the body which did not indicate any physical torture. The report said the majority of injuries were firearm injuries and even the fracture on the left forearm was perhaps caused due to impact of bullets resulting in shattering of the bone. It finally said no underlying injury was found at any place which could suggest any kind of torture.

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