Thrashed for sexually harassing Barnala girl, 80-year-old dies

Tribune News Service

Barnala, September 20

Accused of sexual harassment by an eight-year-old girl and thrashed by her parents and neighbours, an 80-year-old man died in a Patiala hospital last night.

The police have registered a murder case against five persons, including the parents of the girl.

On September 18, residents from Tapa approached the local police station and alleged that Sukhdev Singh (80) had tried to sexually harass a girl from their neighbourhood. The police started an investigation and registered a case against Sukhdev under Section 354-A of the IPC.

On Wednesday, the girl’s parents and three neighbours — Sukhcharn Singh, Gurpreet Singh and Gurmail Singh — thrashed the old man. On being informed, the police reached the spot and got him admitted to the Barnala Civil Hospital last evening.

“From the Barnala Civil Hospital, he was referred to Patiala, where he died,” said Surinder Singh, SHO, Tapa police station.

After a post-mortem examination today, the body was handed over to relatives.

“On the statement of Hari Singh, son of the deceased, we have registered a case against five persons. Raids are on to arrest them,” the SHO added.