Mystery shrouds death of Amritsar Head Constable’s 26-year-old son

A Head Constable’s son, identified as Akashdeep Saini (26), allegedly died under mysterious circumstances in Guru Nanak Pura locality falling under Islamabad police station in Amritsar last evening.

Though it was initially alleged that he had died of drug abuse, the police authorities said that the exact cause would be clear only after the autopsy report.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Jaspal Singh said during the investigation carried out so far, no evidence was found that the victim had died of drug overdose. He said initial examination of the body found no marks of drug injections.

Akashdeep was found unconscious in a car near a local shrine late last evening. His father, Ashok Kumar, who is a head constable, got information about him lying unconscious in the car.

The ACP said when Ashok went there, Akashdeep gained some consciousness and Ashok brought him back home. Later, his pulse rate went down and was rushed to a private hospital, but the doctors declared him brought dead.

Ashok said Akashdeep was a graduate and had earlier been an active football player. He told the media that his son had returned few days ago after completing rehabilitation at a drug de-addiction centre. After Akashdeep’s death, Ashok — while talking to mediapersons — had raised questions over the enforcement efforts by the police against drug abuse. He had alleged that drugs were being sold openly in the area. “If drugs are easily available, what can the police do? My son returned after rehabilitation only to lose his life. This shows how rampant the problem is,” he had said.

However, in video message shared with the media by the police today, he claimed that it was an emotional outburst. He took a U-turn from his earlier claims while adding that the police were doing their best against drug peddling.

The ACP said that the police would investigate the matter thoroughly and appropriate action would be taken if consumption of drugs comes to light.