Given as collateral by couple, boy beaten to death over Rs 40K dues

Faridkot, July 6

In a tragic incident, a seven-year-old child was allegedly beaten to death as his mother and stepfather failed to pay Rs 40,000 — the fee for their matrimonial alliance.

A month ago, Sukhman, whose father Baldev Singh had died two years ago, was given as collateral for Rs 50,000 to a couple who had arranged the marriage alliance.

On July 3, Sukhman’s body, which bore multiple injuries, was found in a drain at Lohara village in Moga. Sukhman was living with his mother Veerpal Kaur, who worked as a labourer.

Around two months ago, a couple of Bakhtgarh village in Baranla, who was known to Veerpal, promised to fix her second marriage with Kala Singh, a resident of the same village. For their services, they demanded Rs 50,000 from Kala.

While Rs 10,000 was paid on the day of the marriage, in lieu of the remaining Rs 40,000, Sukhman was given as collateral. Nihal Singh Wala SHO Amarjeet Singh said Veerpal revealed that her first husband Baldev Singh, who worked as a blacksmith, died two years ago. The SHO added that Virpal Kaur and her husband Surjit Singh of Bakhtgarh village contacted the widow and promised to fix her marriage with Kala. For this, they sought Rs 50,000 from Kala, he said.

While Kala paid them Rs 10,000, the accused took over the custody of the child as a guarantee for the remaining amount. Veerpal alleged in her statement that as they couldn’t pay Rs 40,000 on time, the accused started harassing her son. The SHO said their teams were conducting raids to nab Virpal and Surjit. Family members of Sukhman said they would perform his last rites only after the arrest of the accused.