Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, September 1
The cowshed operator suicide case took a new turn today after the Lambra police registered an FIR against Inspector Pushp Bali, in-charge, CIA Staff, here. Before consuming poison, the deceased Dharamveer Dhamma had reportedly blamed him and Kartarpur Congress MLA Chaudhary Surinder Singh, among three others for forcing him to take such an extreme step.
While the police had been denying the involvement of the cop and the Congress MLA, the development took place after the family members of the deceased refused to cremate his body unless any action was taken against them. So, the police preferred to book the CIA in charge to give a leeway to their political boss and the MLA. The local BJP leaders also protested against the inaction by the police today and demanded action against Chaudhary.
Victim’s statement on Facebook and his dying declaration
- Suicide victim Dharamveer Dhamma had blamed on Facebook that he was being forced by the CIA in-charge and the MLA to close the gaushala. He had alleged that both of them wanted to take over the possession of the land after getting the cowshed vacated. Since he was not moving, they were threatening and harassing him and hence he was going to commit suicide.
- In his dying statement, he said: “Chaudhary Surinder uses cops to harass people despite no complaint against them. I have used my personal funds for raising gaushala amp; Hanuman Temple, which they want to demolish. Pushp Bali beats me with his cane. I am running a gaushala and not selling any drugs. I love cows. I cannot let them go shelterless in front of my eyes. So, I am committing suicide amp; consuming poison.”
The deceased attempted suicide by consuming some poisonous substance two days ago and the doctors declared him dead on Tuesday morning. Hours after his death, the rural police booked three persons — Sanjeev Kala, Gautak Mohan and Shri Ram —for abetment to suicide. Pushp Bali was booked today. But Kartarpur Congress MLA Surinder Chaudhary, whom Dhamma claimed to be the key accused in his video, has so far been exempted from the case.
Operator of the Govind Dham Gaushala, Dhamma live streamed his suicide on Facebook in which he alleged that after getting fed up with them, he was going to commit suicide. He was seen consuming poison. He had accused the MLA and the cop of making his life miserable by repeatedly threatening him and asking him to close the gaushala.
“My father had clearly accused the MLA for forcing him to commit suicide. Without informing me and without my consent, my statement was shown to have been recorded by the police even as I was not in a position to speak. They were trying to save the real culprit which is unfair to us. Now that the CIA in charge has been booked, the police have given an escape to the MLA. We want both of them to be arrested,” said Abhishek Bakshi, elder son of Dharamveer.
Abhishek’s younger brother Mandeep Bakshi told that his whole family was disturbed due to his father’s death. “What’s more annoying is inaction against the culprits. The district administration should swing into action to arrest all the accused, mentioned by my father”, added Mandeep.
Meanwhile, Rural Police SSP Naveen Singla said the police were carefully monitoring the case. “Yesterday the FIR was registered based on the statements of Abhishek. Dharamveer was unfit to make any statement. Whereas considering the Supreme Court guidelines, the Facebook live video of the deceased would also be checked before taking any action. After Abhishek gave supplementary statements today, the police immediately booked Pushp Bali. Besides, roles of all the individuals, including the MLA, will be verified,” added Singla.
Notably, a complaint was also registered against Abhishek Bakshi at CIA department against extortion. The case was being handled by Bali.
Demanding action against the MLA and Bali, advocate Ashok Sareen, vice-president, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Punjab, wrote a letter to DGP Dinkar Gupta, Chief Justice Punjab and Haryana High Court, CM Amarinder Singh and the State Human Rights Commission.
Despite repeated attempts, Chaudhary Surinder Singh did not take phone calls. He, however, has earlier denied any involvement in the matter and terms it to be politically targeted against him.
‘Police inaction to blame’
Abhishek’s younger brother Mandeep Bakshi told that his whole family was disturbed due to his father’s death. “What’s more annoying is inaction against the culprits. The district administration should swing into action to arrest all accused, mentioned by my father,” added Mandeep. Meanwhile, Rural Police SSP Naveen Singla said the police were carefully monitoring the case.
Cowshed operator’s suicide: CIA Staff in-charge booked, but no action against Kartarpur MLA so far
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