Youth dies at rehab centre, kin cry foul

Tribune News Service

Moga, March 2

Sukhvir Singh (26) of Langeana Nawan village died after being allegedly tortured at a private drug de-addiction centre at Charik village in the district, the police said here today.

On Monday, the family members of the youth staged a protest outside the drug de-addiction centre alleging that he was brutally tortured by the owners and staff two days ago that led to his death. He was not provided medical aid, they alleged.

Jaipal Singh, SHO, Charik police station, reached the spot. The deceased youth’s mother, Karamjit Kaur and sister Jasvir Kaur told the police that the owner of the drug de-addiction centre, Inderjit Singh, brought Sukhvir from their house along with a few other youth a few days ago promising to rid them of their addiction.

They claimed CCTV cameras installed at the centre revealed the owner and staff there torture youths by adopting third degree methods and removing their clothes. Karamjit Kaur claimed that her son was not given medical care. Instead, he was left in the open to die.

However, Inderjit Singh refuted the allegations and claimed he himself was beaten up by the inmates for which he had complained to the police. Meanwhile, a septuagenarian showed injury marks on his back. He alleged the owners and staff beat him up.

No case has been registered so far. The family of the youth urged the police to take footage of CCTV cameras, which will reveal the truth about the inmates’ plight.