SP was depressed, dept let him down, say colleagues

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 6

Punjab Police SP, Arjuna Awardee and Olympian Narinder Singh (45), who committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his official quarters in the PAP complex on Friday, had been running from pillar to post for his reinstatement.

Some Delhi- based persons were reportedly in touch with him to arrange a compromise in attempt to murder case registered against Singh on October 5, 2013 in Delhi in lieu of a hefty amount.

Sources said these developments came to light during the cremation ceremony of the SP where his close associates and friends raised fingers at the police department for leaving him in the lurch.

Cops who served with the international judo player asserted that despite being under suspension for over two years, department had allegedly given him a step-motherly treatment. “Despite bringing doing the nation proud in the Olympics and receiving the Arjuna award, the department had left him to fend for himself. The deceased had alleged that he had fired in self- defense in Delhi but to no avail,” his friends told TNS.

They said that Narinder had been regularly visiting the top brass officials to seek reinstatement but his efforts were fruitless.

They alleged that the deceased was also in touch with some Delhi- based persons who had assured him of a compromise in the criminal case registered against him.

”The middlemen were demanding a hefty amount which he was unable to pay. As a result he was depressed and look at what has happened now, they lamented.

Surinder, brother of the deceased, refused to comment on the compromise angle but said that Narinder was under depression ever since he was suspended. Meanwhile, an autopsy conducted at the civil hospital where doctors said that Narinder had died due to hanging. Still viscera samples have been sent to a forensic lab to confirm the exact cause of death. Inquest proceedings under section 174 CrPc have been initiated.

He was cremated with full honours where senior police officials from PAP and Punjab police took part.