Officials sought bribe, says farmer who took poison

A 45-year-old farmer from Hamirgarh village here, who had allegedly consumed pesticide when a team of the civil administration visited to prepare a report regarding stubble burning, on Saturday alleged that the officials had demanded bribe from him.

He made the allegation in a statement to the Moonak police.

His condition is said to be stable now, and he is likely to be discharged from the hospital on Sunday. Kulwant has sought action against the civil administration team, claiming that despite his poor financial condition, the officials continued to pressure him. Kulwant owns nearly 10 acres.

Speaking over the phone, ASI Malkit Singh, the investigating officer who recorded the statement around 7 pm on Saturday, said, “I have recorded the statement of the victim (Kulwant Singh) and will submit the report to the police station. A case will be registered by tomorrow morning. The victim has accused the officials of seeking some undue favour from him.”

Kulwant said he had burnt the leftover paddy stubble on Thursday, which was doused by farm union activists in the presence of a civil administration team that later left the spot.

“The nodal officers kept visiting my fields repeatedly and asked me and my nephew for some favour to settle the issue. When we refused, they threatened us, saying we could do whatever we want, but they would act as per their wish,” Kulwant said in his complaint. Rinku Moonak, secretary of the BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan), Moonak said, “Kulwant is still hospitalised. He is likely to be discharged tomorrow. Luckily, the pesticide he consumed had expired, which saved his life.”