Miscarriage victim accuses policemen of issuing threats

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, March 19

Bhado Kaur, who had a miscarriage during an anti-encroachment drive in the Preet Nagar area last month, have been running from pillar to post along with her family members to get justice.

After visiting police stations and the Civil Hospital on a number of occasions, no case has been registered till date. She even didn’t get the MLR report. Bhado alleged that police personnel in civvies have been visiting her makeshift tarpaulin house and threatening her with dire consequences if she pursued her case against senior officials of the Police Department and Bathinda Development Authority (BDA). After the demolition of her house, the victim’s family has been living under a tent pitched by the roadside.

She has been visiting the SSP’s office to lodge a complaint against the officials who had manhandled her during the demolition drive on February 25. She said despite her pleading before the officials not to demolish her house and she was pregnant, she was pushed around. Notably, the victim has levelled allegations against the DSP and the tehsildar on duty during the demolition drive.

On Thursday, she, along with her family members, had gone to submit a complaint to SSP Nanak Singh but similarly like two days ago, he was again not available in his office. Later, they met SP (D) Gurbinder Singh Sangha and brought the entire matter to his notice. The SP has assured them that necessary action would be taken in the matter.

Talking to The Tribune, Bhado said, “Leave aside showing sympathy with a pregnant woman, senior police officials and BDA officials used foul language. They had said people like us listen to orders with stick only. And when I resisted, they pushed me around after which my condition got deteriorated and had a miscarriage. Not only my house was turned into a heap of rubble in front of my eyes, my unborn child was also killed before even coming to this world.”

“We have been visiting the Civil Hospital to get the MLR report so that we can get a case registered against these senior officials, but hospital staff members have denied giving the same saying they have already given it to the police,” she added.

“To rub salt on our wounds, now police personnel in civvies are visiting our place to threaten us. We have nothing to lose now. We want justice and request the SSP to intervene and take action against the errant officials for misbehaving. We need the MLR report to make our case strong .We have even paid the fee for the same, but the hospital staff has refused to give it to us,” she said.

Despite repeated attempts, SSP Nanak Singh could not be contacted. Tehsildar Sukhvir Brar also did not respond to calls.

Senior Medical Officer Dr Maninder Pal Singh said, “It is not possible and if they have paid the required fee, the MLR report must be issued to them. I will get the matter checked.”