BJP leader and former Panipat councillor jumps into canal

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, November 19

Senior BJP leader and former councillor Harish Sharma jumped into the Delhi parallel canal, near Binjhol village, on Thursday morning under suspicious circumstances.

His friend jumped into the canal to save him but he, too, drowned. 

The family claimed that Harish was mentally upset for past few days after the Panipat police had registered a case against him and his councillor daughter, among 10 people, for allegedly selling crackers openly and misbehaving with police on Diwali night.

The family alleged that the police was pressed for his arrest on Wednesday night.

According to information, Harish of Tehsil Camp area slept at friend Rajesh Sharma’s house due to pressure from police.

According to information, he had made a call to brother, Satish Sharma, and family that he was going to end his life.

He, along with friend Rajesh Sharma, reached the Delhi parallel canal on Gohana road on Thursday morning and jumped into it after removing his clothes and jewellery.

Rajesh Sharma also jumped into the canal to save him but he drowned.

Meanwhile, Harish's brother Satish Sharma, along with Sonu Saluja—an eyewitness— reached the spot and jumped into the canal to save them but failed.

Saluja said he saved Satish with the help of a stick but he wasn’t able to save Harish and Rajesh and the two drowned.

As the word spread, people reached the spot.

Anjali Sharma, councillor, Ward 3, and Harish’s daughter, told the media that her father went out on Wednesday night but did not return home till Thursday morning. They heard the news and reached the canal, she added.

BJP MLA Pramod Vij, former transport minister Krishan Panwar, councillors Lokesh Nagroo, Dushyant Bhatt, and senior Congress leader Virender Shah also reached the spot. 

“Harish’s brother had called him at around 7 am on Thursday and Harish told him that he was in depression and had asked his brother to take him home,” Vij said.

DSP (Headquarters) Satish Vats said the incident occurred at around 9.30 am. The water level in the canal was reduced and the divers were searching for the two, he added.