Daljit Singh cremated at native village in Mansa after High Court order amid row over Punjab’s drug menace
Daljit Singh, whose death sparked protests and a political row in Punjab, was cremated at Bhamme Kalan village in Mansa after the High Court allowed it. A fresh post-mortem was done at PGIMER
PTC Web Desk: Daljit Singh, whose death led to protests and a political row over drugs in Punjab, was cremated on Thursday at his native village, Bhamme Kalan. The last rites were held after the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed the family to perform them in the village.
Daljit, 35, died on October 27. His body was found in a field near Ramanandi village. His family says he died of a drug overdose, but the police have registered a murder case.
His body was brought to the village from the PGIMER, Chandigarh, where a second post-mortem was carried out on the High Court’s orders. The first post-mortem had been done at AIIMS Bathinda. Family members and villagers gathered at the cremation ground to bid him farewell.
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Court changed its earlier order
On Tuesday, the High Court had directed a post-mortem at PGIMER and ordered that the body be cremated in Chandigarh with only close family present. Daljit’s wife and mother then asked that the cremation take place at his native village. On Wednesday, the court modified its order and agreed.
The court also told the administration to put adequate security in place at the cremation ground. It made it clear that no political party or politician, from the ruling side or the opposition, and no other group or organisation, would be allowed to take part in or interfere with the arrangements.
The case reached the High Court after Daljit’s sister petitioned for a post-mortem at PGIMER.
After his death, several opposition leaders criticised the Punjab Police and the state government, and raised the wider issue of drugs in the state.
Daljit’s relatives and others had earlier held a dharna, demanding that his body be taken to Mansa. In Mansa, the family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota and others are already sitting on a protest seeking justice for him.
When protesters blocked a road, the police used mild force to clear them. The police said some mischievous elements had joined the gathering and were trying to disturb law and order.
Videos showing police personnel lifting Daljit’s body, carrying it across a road divider and putting it in a vehicle were shared on social media by several opposition leaders.