M A I N   N E W S

SIT ‘hasn’t contacted’ Nishan

BEGOWAL, (Punjab) May 5 (PTI) — Several prime witnesses in the case of death of the SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur’s, daughter under mysterious circumstances on April 21, including the Bibi’s bodyguard Nishan Singh and several women who bathed the deceased’s body, today claimed that officials of the special investigation team (SIT) have so far not contacted them though they have been available here throughout.

“I have not taken a single leave and have been here continuously. So far, forget about the SIT, no police official has even contacted me,” Mr Nishan Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector gunman of the Bibi said here.

When this correspondent reached Begowal without any prior notice, he found Mr Nishan Singh sitting in the courtyard of Dera Sant Baba Prem Singh Muralewala, which is headed by the SGPC Chief.

Reports in a section of the media had claimed that Mr Nishan Singh’s whereabouts were not known and that the SIT had failed to contact him despite great efforts. It had said that the question of Mr Nishan Singh’s whereabouts was “baffling” the SIT officials.

Even Ms Ravel Kaur, the elder sister of the Bibi and Mr Mohinder Singh, her brother and sarpanch of Bhatnoora village who were present at the dera claimed that they have not been questioned by the SIT.

“However, some local police officials did come and asked us about our traditions in cases of unmarried girls’ cremation. DSP Kuldip Singh was also here some days earlier. Some questions were also asked as to whether we saw any bruises or marks on the body of Harpreet when we bathed it,” Ms Ravel Kaur and other women said.

The SIT headed by IG K.K. Attri was tasked with probing the circumstances leading to the death of teenage Harpreet after a Begowal youth Kamaljit claimed that he was secretly married to her and fathered her child. Harpreet’s family had claimed that she died of food poisoning.

There has been strong criticism of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal attending the cremation of Harpreet within hours of her death. Her mortal remains were also immersed in the river the same evening.

The mother of Kamaljit has claimed that she saw bruises on the Harpreet’s body and expressed the apprehension that she was killed.

Other relatives of the Bibi present there said they bathed the Harpreet’s body on the morning of April 21 and found no injury marks of bruises.

“There were seven to eight women inside the bathroom when we bathed the body. ‘Then, we brought her out and, as per the traditions of the (Lobana) community, put “choora” (red bangles’ set indicating marriage), and the entire bridal make-up and even applied lipstick to the body of Harpreet in presence of scores of other women,” they claimed.

Apparently, this tradition of “marrying” an unmarried dead one prevails as villagers told this correspondent several other examples. Ms Maya Kaur claimed that her 60-year-old ‘devar’ died as bachelor six months earlier and was similary “married” before the cremation.

Mr Nishan Singh, when told of media reports of him not being available for the SIT team, expressed surprise and said: “Do you think I can even think of asking for a leave after this tragedy? I was here throughout”.

A visit to the house of Kamaljit in a maze of narrow streets drew a blank as the gate was locked with four policemen on guard, apparently to keep an eye as the SIT claims that Kamaljit too has been inaccessible.