Snatcher ends his life in lock-up, 3 cops suspended

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 15

A 27-year-old man, accused of chain snatching, ended his life in the police lock-up at the Goraya police station in the wee hours today by hanging himself from the lock-up grills by using the cord of the high-neck pull over he was wearing.

According to sources, the incident has exposed the negligence of cops on duty despite the fact that the man had earlier also made a suicide attempt in the police lock-up when he was nabbed in a theft case by the Dosanjh Kalan police.

Three cops, including ASI-cum-duty officer Yadvinder Singh, constable (night guard) Ravi and night clerk (munshi) head constable Sukhraj, were suspended for adopting negligence while on duty. The ASI was also the investigating officer in the snatching case.

The deceased was identified as Jaswant Singh, a resident of Dosanjh Kalan village. His father Amrik Singh is the nambardar in the village. He was nabbed by villagers after he snatched a gold chain from a woman Rachna Devi. Villagers had also brutally thrashed him, resulting in head injuries to him.

Following the incident, senior police and district administration officials, including Additional Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan, Superintendent of Police (Crime) HPS Khakh, and Illaqa Magistrate Himanshi Galhotra, visited the spot and recorded the statement of Jaswant Singh’s father and cops. A judicial probe has also been ordered in the matter.

The incident reportedly took place at 4.30 am when Jaswant hanged himself from grills of the lock-up by using the cord of the high-neck pullover. He took the step half an hour after he was served water by policeman Sukhrai.

SHO Jatinder Pal said Jaswant committed suicide when cop Sukhraj went to open the police station door to let the patrolling party come in. “When the suicide took place, two cops, including santri (entry point guard) and munshi (clerk) were present, but they failed to keep a vigil over the activities of the snatcher. After the duo noticed the shrieks of criminals, they went to inquire the matter and found him already dead,” the SHO added.

Deceased had sustained head injuries after people beaten him up. He was put up in the lock after conducting complete medical checkup, SHO addded.

Suspecting no foul play, the police initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC.