No FIR against cop who abused woman on bus

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, July 23

Dirba AAP MLA Harpal Cheema today met the baptised Sikh woman, who was allegedly abused on a bus by a “drunk” ASI of the Government Railway Police (GRP) on Friday evening. After a video of the accused being thrashed by a co-passenger went viral, various Sikh organisations sought action against him.

Cheema, who visited the victim’s native Khetla village, said: “The accused ASI, Didar Singh, abused the woman without any provocation. A strict legal action must be taken against him.”

Victim’s brother Sukhchain Singh said his sister was returning home after attending classes in a Sunam college on Friday and boarded the bus from Mehla Chowk. When the bus crossed Sular Gharat, Didar Singh started misbehaving with his sister.

“The cop was drunk. He started abusing my sister, Sikh religion and religious symbols. My sister then shifted her seat. The accused again tried to go near her, which led to a clash between Didar Singh and Jaswinder, a youngster travelling on the bus. After my sister alighted from the bus, the ASI was thrashed by Jaswinder at Patran bus stand,” said Sukhchain.

Various Sikh organisations have come in the support of the victim and announced to launch a protest if the police fail to lodge an FIR against the cop for hurting the religious sentiments, said Baba Jiwan Singh of Panthak Sewa lehar Dadu Sahib Jathebandi.

Dirba SHO Pushpinder Singh said they had asked the Patran police to send a copy of the statement given by the victim last night. “We will lodge an FIR after that,” he said.